The current membership of ALAO includes a total of 281 members consisting of 234 regular members, 6 retiree members, and 41 student members. We are excited to welcome new members who joined between September 4, 2025 and November 24, 2025.
Marla Beebe, Shawnee State University
Jonathan Brier, Ohio University
Cassandra Brown, Heidelberg University
Stacy Chaney-Blankenship, Ohio Wesleyan University
Jeeyeon Chun
Stephanie Diaz, John Carroll University
Hailey Greenwald, Central Ohio Technical College
Harley Hill
Rob Kairis, NEOMED
Ashton Kimbler, Columbus State Community College
Amanda Knapp, State Library of Ohio
Jacqueline Mayse, Case Western Reserve University
Bethany Miller, Lorain County Community College
Dani Owens
Caroline Pacey, Wright State University
Jeanna Purses, University of Mount Union
Holly Rosby, Cuyahoga Community College
Kellie Tilton, University of Cincinnati Blue Ash
Madison Vasko, University of Toledo
Maureen Walsh, The Ohio State University
Andrew Wrobel, Ashland University
–Laura Birkenhauer, Membership Chair, Miami University
DIG it! Data Interest Group is ALAO’s New Interest Group
The use of data in academic libraries has been a growing segment for both services, resources and support. From data literacy, to data management planning, to accessing datasets for research…all these are areas of growth for libraries. The Data Interest Group (DIG) brings together library professionals who share an interest in advancing and learning about data literacy, data culture and data services. As academic institutions increasingly rely on data from everything from decision-making, research, and teaching, academic libraries play a crucial role in supporting responsible and effective use of data across disciplines. Our hope is that DIG provides a collaborative space where librarians and library professionals can share expertise, develop best practices, and strengthen their capacity to engage with data in meaningful ways.
DIG’s mission is to foster a community of practice that promotes data services and information sharing among its members. The group is designed to support discussions and professional development around a wide array of specialized topics, including:
Data Curation: Best practices for ensuring data quality, usability, and long-term preservation.
Data Visualization: Techniques and tools for effectively communicating complex data insights.
Data Management: Strategies for creating, storing, accessing, and retaining research data throughout its lifecycle.
Data Repositories: Understanding and managing institutional, disciplinary, and general-purpose data archives.
Ethical Data Use: Discussions on privacy, intellectual property, and responsible data governance.
Emerging Technologies: Exploration of new tools and methodologies relevant to data science and library support.
Since this is DIG’s first year of existence, the group is initially looking to have new members join, establish our meeting frequency and discuss some possible future ideas for professional development. For more information or to join our interest group, please email dig@alaoweb.org or visit the DIG group site.
–Hector Escobar, DIG Co-Chair, University of Dayton –Michael Hawkins, DIG Co-Chair, Kent State University
PROMIG News
Here is the latest news on activities from the promotion/marketing/outreach interest group:
Check out Resource Roundup vol. 7 for relevant articles, webinars, CFPs, meetings, and more related to programming, outreach, and marketing. We welcome your contributions to the Roundup–just send an email to promig-chairs@alaoweb.org.
PROMIG partnered with ALAO’s sustainability interest group SUSIG for the October 16, 2025, Community Chat, “Sustainability in Action: Library Swag & Programming.” Mandi Goodsett and Evan Meszaros provided excellent thought-provoking examples of sustainable practices for libraries and led discussions on sustainable programming, recycling, collaborative efforts, and challenges of incorporating sustainability into our work in the areas of programming, outreach and/or marketing. If you missed it, here are the Presentation Slides.
PROMIG is offering the free webinar “Wisdom for Social Media Managers in Academic Libraries: Lessons in Strategy, Engagement, Content Creation and More” via Zoom on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET. Speaker Tanner Lewey will share her passion and experience as social media manager for libraries and higher education institutions. To register: bit.ly/PROMIG-Lewey
Thanks to all who participate in our events. If you are interested in joining PROMIG, have ideas for programming, or would like to know more about our activities, contact us at promig-chairs@alaoweb.org.
We hope you all have a wonderful holiday!
–Laura Birkenhauer, PROMIG Co-Chair, Miami University –Jerry Natal, PROMIG Co-Chair, University of Toledo
STEMIG News
STEM Interest Group – Open Discussion Hours
We welcome STEM librarians and those who liaise with STEM departments to join us for informal conservations. Driven by the group, the discussions cover all aspects of STEM librarianship, including instruction, collections, budgets, staffing, recent conferences and other professional development opportunities, AI and other hot topics, and the semi-recent ILS migration across OhioLink.
We meet on the second Friday of the month, from 11-12 Eastern time. Please join us when you can, there’s no pressure to attend every month. Zoom Link is the same link for each date. The spring 2026 dates below.
January 9
February 13
March 13
April 10
May 8
If you have questions, or would like to join the STEM-IG mailing list and receive calendar invites to the discussion hours, please email the co-chairs, Kristen Adams and Nathanael Davis, at stemig-chairs@alaoweb.org.
Technical, Electronic, and Digital Services Interest Group (TEDSIG) News
Two TEDdy Awards, for distinguished service by an ALAO member in the fields of technical, electronic and digital services, were presented at the ALAO annual conference.
* The 2025 TEDdy Award was awarded to Lauren Marshall (John Carroll University).
* The 2024 TEDdy Award was presented to Frank Bove (University of Mount Union).
–Mike Monaco, TEDSIG Co-Chair, The University of Akron –Rebecca Belford, TEDSIG Co-Chair, Oberlin College
Job Title: Librarian for Instruction and Faculty Engagement (#F219P)
Tenure Information
John Carroll University’s Grasselli Library and Breen Learning Center seeks an experienced and enthusiastic Librarian for Instruction and Faculty Engagement – Professor of Practice (POP). Unlike tenured faculty who focus on research, the POP focuses on teaching and working with students through a practical, hands-on approach. The successful candidate should have significant experience teaching and instruction in an academic library. POPs are expected to engage in service work for the university and the library.
Summary
Reporting to the University Librarian, this position will lead the library’s teaching and instruction program. This includes responsibilities for designing, developing, delivering, and assessing instruction across the curriculum and the university, focusing specifically on critical thinking, information literacy, and generative AI. Success in this role requires a deep understanding of best practices, current trends, and new technologies in library instruction. This position will also develop and lead library outreach initiatives tailored to faculty and staff.
Deadline
Priority consideration has been extended to January 5, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The hire start date is Summer 2026. Summer librarianship work is available and includes additional compensation. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.jcu.edu/offices-and-services/human-resources/.
–Stephanie Diaz, John Carroll University
Wright State University Libraries News
Wright University Libraries welcomes three new Librarians:
Brenna McNulty, Student Success Librarian
Danni Grottla, Instruction and Research Librarian for the Social Sciences
Caroline Pacey, Instruction and Research Librarian for Engineering, Science, and Math
First, I would like to thank Sara Klink for her leadership as ALAO President during a particularly challenging year for academic libraries. She provided invaluable leadership during the transition to a new conference venue, oversaw the celebrations for ALAO’s 50th Anniversary, and took the initiative to have meaningful conversations with stakeholders regarding our strategic plan. Additionally, Sara and I established a new tradition of biweekly meetings between the President and Vice President to strengthen communication and guide decision-making. I have already continued this practice with our new Vice President/President-Elect, Cara Calabrese.
On July 18, 2025, the ALAO Board held its annual retreat. In the morning, we discussed the need to update ALAO’s Strategic Plan. Earlier in 2025, Sara Klink had engaged in valuable conversations with many of our IGs and Committees about how we should approach this work, especially given the current political pressures. Drawing from these conversations, Sara and I drafted new broad Focus Areas for the updated plan. The ALAO Board will continue refining this work, with the goal of finalizing a new strategic plan later this fall.
In the afternoon, the Board reflected on our accomplishments under the 2019–2024 Strategic Plan, celebrating successes while identifying areas for continued growth. We then used these growth opportunities as a lens to create individual goals tied to our specific Board positions for the year ahead. I hope this focused approach will guide our efforts and strengthen the organization as we move forward.
If you have interest in volunteering in our organization, please let me know. For me, ALAO has been a bedrock of support over the many years that I have been involved. Getting to meet colleagues from across the state, sharing ideas, and creating space for each other are only some of the benefits.
Keynote Speaker Ione T. Damasco (they/them), Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Organizational Development at the University of Dayton Libraries. The title of their keynote is, Dialogue, Encounter, Imagination: Practicing Critical Hope in Times of Challenge. There will be an additional discussion session with Ione scheduled immediately after.
Pre-Conference Workshop This year’s Pre-Conference workshop will be facilitated by Hanna Schmillen (she/her), Assistant Dean for Research and Education Services at Ohio University Libraries. Join us for Launchpad to Systematic Reviews: Evidence Synthesis Crash Course for Your Library, a hands-on workshop designed to equip academic librarians with the foundational knowledge and practical skills to support and lead evidence synthesis projects at your libraries, at your pace.
Conference Grant Opportunities
ALAO is committed to supporting professional development and encouraging participation in its annual conference. 2025 Conference grant program opportunities include:
New Member & First Time Attendee Grants have been made possible by our keynote speaker, Ione Damasco, covering registration costs for up to 10 library workers who have joined ALAO within the past 12 months or will be attending the ALAO Conference for the first time.
The ALAO Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award and the Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Awards.
The Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual who has:
1. Been an Academic Library Association of Ohio member for at least 5 years
2. Promoted academic libraries and librarianship on their own campus and within the state
3. Provided sustained leadership in the promotion of Academic Library Association of Ohio, e.g., committee service, interest group chair, position on the Executive Board
Additional information about the Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award is available here. Please submit nominations for the Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award through the 2025 Jay Ladd Award Online Nomination Form.
The Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award recognizes an individual who has:
1. Demonstrated excellence as a mentor to a librarian, library worker, or library science student
2. A sustained record of effective mentorship, as demonstrated by activities that may include but not be limited to advising, developing, coaching, sponsoring, advocating, guiding, and/or supporting librarians, library workers, or library students
Additional information about the Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award is available here.
NOTE: You may nominate more than one person for each award! Your reasons for nominating your candidate(s) will be especially valuable to the Awards Committee so please be as detailed as possible.
Please submit your nominations by Friday, October 10, 2025.
Awards are given out at the ALAO Annual Conference.
Get Involved! ALAO Has Open Positions!
PR Coordinator
We are looking to fill the position of PR Coordinator. This position does social media, creates marketing content and supports our many events.
Web Manager
We are looking to add another web manager to our existing team of two. You do not have to have any specific website experience for this position.
Both of these positions are positions on our executive board. If you are interested or would like more information please contact Sara Klink, ALAP Past President at pastpresident@alaoweb.org
Thank you!
ALAO has connected with other state organizations to create a statement of support for the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Protect Federal Support for Ohio’s Libraries, Museums, and Communities
American libraries and museums are trusted institutions that are essential to fostering literacy, supporting education, preserving culture, and strengthening communities. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is a federal agency dedicated solely to supporting all types of libraries and museums through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Through IMLS, Ohio receives vital funding for library services across the state, benefiting citizens in all 88 counties. IMLS also offers critical grant funds to museums across Ohio, providing support to programs and initiatives that communities rely on.
Eliminating federal funding streams that empower Ohio’s libraries to serve millions of residents every year would seriously harm Ohio’s library infrastructure, curtail essential programs, and diminish opportunities for education, innovation, and economic growth.
In Ohio, $5.4 million in federal funding from the IMLS “Grants to States” program awarded to the the State Library funding supports:
The State Library of Ohio, including $5.4 million annually in “Grants to States” funds.
The Talking Book Program, serving Ohio’s blind and print-disabled veterans and residents.
The Ohio Digital Library, offering free eBooks, audiobooks, and media to all Ohioans.
Libraries Connect Ohio, providing equitable online access to high-quality educational and research resources.
Summer Reading Programs, which served nearly 400,000 children and families in 2024 alone.
Serving Every Ohioan (SEO) Library Center, a consortium supporting 103 largely rural library systems.
Digitization efforts through the Ohio Digital Network, preserving and providing public access to Ohio’s historical and cultural collections.
Grant for libraries for initiatives such as Celebrating Ohio Book Awards, Conservation and Preservation, Guiding Ohio Online, Summer Library Programs, Literacy, and Outreach and Engagement.
Beyond libraries, IMLS also supports Ohio’s museums, historical societies, and archives, providing approximately $1.77 million annually in grants that help preserve Ohio’s rich cultural heritage.
Through IMLS funding, Ohio’s libraries and museums also:
Foster early literacy and grade-level reading success.
Provide access to high-speed internet, critical for education and employment.
Support telehealth spaces for veterans and underserved populations.
Offer STEM programs and workforce development training.
Help entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive.
Serve as community anchors in times of crisis and recovery.
Provide essential educational support and curriculum-based student programs. Without IMLS support, Ohio would lose vital services that promote lifelong learning, strengthen communities, and fuel local economies particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Libraries, museums, and archives translate just 0.003% of the federal budget into more than 1.2 billion patron visits annually. These institutions offer an extraordinary return on investment, ensuring equitable access to information, education, and culture for all Americans.
The potential loss of IMLS funding would harm the aspirations and everyday needs of millions and rural communities would feel the impact most acutely.
We urge Ohio’s elected leaders at every level to stand up for museums, libraries, and the communities they serve. We call on Congress to fully fund IMLS and preserve the federal commitment to education, access, and opportunity.
We encourage all Ohioans who value reading, learning, history, and community to reach out to their elected officials and speak up for Ohio’s libraries, museums, and archives. Attend library board meetings, engage with your local museums, contact lawmakers, and Show Up for Our Libraries and Museums because the future of our communities depends on it.
Collectively, we, the undersigned, stand together to protect Ohio’s libraries, museums, and archives.
The Academic Library Association of Ohio’s Professional Development Committee (ALAO PDC) is pleased to announce the call for participation in the 2025–2026 ALAO Library Mentoring Program.
Program Purpose The program fosters supportive professional relationships that encourage growth, share knowledge, and help both mentors and mentees advance in their careers.
Mentees may include:
Library school students
Recent graduates
Experienced librarians seeking additional support
You do not need to be an ALAO member to participate, though membership is encouraged.
Program Overview The Professional Development Committee reviews submissions and pairs mentors and mentees to create the best matches. The program runs through October 2026.
Let’s shine the Member Spotlight on Austin McCray from Wittenberg University!
What is/are your role(s) in academic libraries?
I am the Student Success and Instruction Librarian at Wittenberg University. I began this position in early August; it is, in fact, my first librarian role since completing my MSIS in May. My background is in higher education. I hold a doctorate in history and previously worked as a historian for several years before deciding to transition into librarianship.
In my role at Wittenberg, I serve as the primary instructor for information literacy sessions and as the liaison between the library and disciplinary faculty. Beginning next fall, I will also be teaching my own first-year seminar course. Additionally, I’m collaborating with the student success center on outreach and instructional initiatives that will launch as the semester progresses.
What do you like most about academic library work?
I love the variety of students, faculty, and disciplines I get to work with. Working in an academic library encourages me to remain intellectually curious and continually expand my knowledge beyond my comfort zone. I am also passionate about instruction and engaging with students across all levels. I especially enjoy working with first-year and first-generation students and helping them discover available resources and watching their confidence grow as they develop research skills.
What are some interesting projects you’ve been involved with lately?
As the inaugural Student Success Librarian at Wittenberg, my primary focus is strengthening relationships between the library, student success center, and disciplinary faculty. This collaboration is particularly important for our first-year seminars. I’m working toward complete integration of information literacy sessions across all first-year seminar sections, building from our current partial coverage. This work includes researching how our students define success to ensure the library’s resources and services align meaningfully with their goals.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
As is, I believe, a requirement to become a librarian, my wife and I have two cats: Benjamin and Bella. These spoiled 8-year-old littermates have been with us since they were about two months old. Bella, who is white with a grey spot and dipstick tail, is chaos incarnate but surprisingly sweet when she wants to be. Benji has a beautiful brown and white coat, and he’s completely food-motivated and happiest when snuggled under a good blanket.
Why did you join ALAO?
As someone who is new to Ohio and the profession, I wanted to connect with other librarians in the state and become part of the larger community. I believe engagement and professional dialogue are crucial components of effective instruction and continuing to improve higher education. I’m excited to learn from ALAO’s experienced members and contribute to the community as I grow in the profession.
–Laura Birkenhauer, Membership Chair, Miami University
The PROMIG co-chairs are busy planning this season’s programming. If you are interested in joining the promotion and marketing interest group, have ideas for programming, or would like to know more about our activities, contact us at promig-chairs@alaoweb.org.
–Laura Birkenhauer, PROMIG Co-Chair, Miami University –Jerry Natal, PROMIG Co-Chair, University of Toledo
SCAig News
Your co-chairs this year are Christine Liebson, Archivist at Case Western Reserve University (continuing in her second year) along with new co-chair, Kate Medicus, Special Collections Librarian at Kent State University. We are working on this year’s plan for our interest group and are thinking of switching from hosting a spring workshop to something different! Many of us (whether you work more in technical services or more in public services) are coping with the aftermath of OhioLINK’s migration to ExLibris. Given the unique nature of our work in archives and special collections, we believe it could be helpful to facilitate statewide connections and discussions to help us get through this together. Please keep an eye out for an emailed survey from SCAig to gauge interest and collect ideas about how to make this happen. If you have any thoughts or comments, please also feel free to write to us directly at scaig-chairs@alaoweb.org. If you attend the annual conference in person, look for us at the informal Interest Group Sessions being held from 1:00-2:00 on Friday, November 7. We would love to chat with you there!
–Christine Liebson, SCAig Co-Chair, Case Western Reserve University –Kate Medicus, SCAig Co-Chair, Kent State University
STEM Interest Group – Open Discussion Hours
We welcome STEM librarians and those who liaise with STEM departments to join us for informal conservations. Driven by the group, the discussions cover all aspects of STEM librarianship, including instruction, collections, budgets, staffing, recent conferences and other professional development opportunities, AI and other hot topics, and of course the recent ILS migration across OhioLink.
We meet on the second Friday of the month, from 11-12 Eastern time. Please join us when you can, there’s no pressure to attend every month. Zoom Link is the same link for each date. The fall 2025 dates below.
October 10
November 14
December 12
If you have questions, or would like to join the STEM-IG mailing list and receive calendar invites to the discussion hours, please email the co-chairs, Kristen Adams and Nathanael Davis, at stemig-chairs@alaoweb.org.
–Kristen Adams, STEM IG Co-Chair, Miami University –Nathanael Davis, STEM IG Co-Chair, Cedarville University
TEDSIG News
Nominations for the TEDdy Award Now Open
Please consider nominating a colleague for the TEDdy Award! Nominees must be current ALAO members, who have worked in or are currently working in an Ohio academic library in the area of technical, electronic, or digital services. The TEDDY recognizes an individual’s significant contributions to the technical, electronic or digital services fields. Contributions may include service, innovative practices, presentations, publications, and leadership in the profession. The TEDDY is awarded annually at the ALAO Conference. The award includes two waivers to a future TEDSIG event.
Technical, electronic, and digital services work is often “invisible” labor because our work is the infrastructure that keeps libraries running smoothly. Let us know who you think should be recognized and why at tedsig-chairs@alaoweb.org
TEDSIG held an online program in May, “Longtail Issues: What to Anticipate After Go Live” with Lesli M. Moore. 232 people registered and most attended live. A recording remains available online on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m336y3Z57Mo). Ms. Moore explained her consortium’s experience with an LSP migration and some of the long term clean-up issues that followed in the years after they “went live.”
TEDSIG pleased to announce that Rebecca Belford,Head of Technical Services, Oberlin Conservatory Library, has agreed to serve as co-chair of TEDSIG for the 2025-2027 term.
–Mike Monaco, TEDSIG Co-Chair, The University of Akron –Rebecca Belford, TEDSIG Co-Chair, Oberlin College
The current membership of ALAO includes a total of 277 members consisting of 229 regular members, 5 retiree members, and 43 student members. We are excited to welcome new members who joined between June 6, 2025 and September 3, 2025.
Megan Barborak
Trinity Bernard
Nathaniel Borling
Tishina Brown-Harris
Lauren Crider
Michael Flierl, Ohio State University
Eileen Galvin, Columbus College of Art & Design
Danni Grottla, Wright State University
Merry Moon Hkawn
Alyssa Jenkins
Amy Koshoffer, University of Cincinnati
Rachel Krak, Denison University
Zhenling Liu
Megan Mamolen, Lakeland Community College
Lauren Marshall, John Carroll University
Austin McCray, Wittenberg University
Sarah Murphy, The Ohio State University
Daniel O’Brien, Ashland University
Candace Pine, Miami University
Melissa Pulis, Case Western Reserve University
Katy Whitlow
Zebulon Wimsatt, Oberlin College
–Laura Birkenhauer, Membership Chair, Miami University
I recently served on the LD4 Social subcommittee during the recent LD4 : Linked Data in the Real World online conference (July 28 – 30), assisting in code of conduct monitoring during the conference. Earlier in the season, I also served on the LD4 Conference Planning committee, assisting in the review of proposals for presentation.
As an extension of my community service project with the Youngstown Action Center Library, I am assisting with cataloging the late labor attorney Staughton Lynd’s personal collection which has been donated by his wife, Alice Lynd, and will be shelved at the Calvin Center in downtown Youngstown.
–Joseph Dudley, Bryant & Stratton College
University of Dayton Libraries News
The University of Dayton is proud to announce the following personnel changes:
New Employees
Katie Maxfield, Assessment Librarian and Assistant Professor
Abby Robinson, Library Access Services Specialist
Promotions
Henry Handley, Assistant Director of the Marian Library and Special Collections, Associate Professor
Kayla Harris, Associate Dean of Special Collections and Executive Director of the Marian Library, Associate Professor
Zachary Lewis, Student Success Librarian and Associate Professor
ALAO Newsletter 