Member Spotlight

Let’s shine the Member Spotlight on Ben Richards, Business and Communications Librarian at Cleveland State University.

What is your role(s) in academic libraries?Ben Member Spotlight Dec

I am the Business & Communication Librarian at Cleveland State University. I am primarily involved with doing information literacy instruction, reference consultations, and supporting faculty research, as well as working with our College Credit Plus program, First Year Experience, and contributing to assessment projects within the library.

What do you like most about academic library work?

I enjoy seeing students become more empowered through learning valuable research, technology, and critical thinking skills. I feel like the library contributes so much to our institution both through student success and faculty support, and it’s great to be a part of that.

What are some interesting projects you’ve been involved with lately?

There has been more interest from faculty on exposing their students to citation management tools, and I have enjoyed providing workshops on Zotero and Mendeley in the classroom. They’re tools that have the potential to not only make citing an easier process, but also help students to organize their research and incorporate sources more intentionally into their writing.

We tried a scavenger hunt activity this year for our First Year Experience classes, and as our assessment we took student reflections on which resources and services in the library they planned to use and what questions they had. I am excited to delve further into the set of responses and find out how first year students perceive the library in terms of contributing to their success on campus.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I had a pet guinea pig who was photographed and appeared on an American Greetings birthday card.

What do you love about being an ALAO member?

I love that there is a community of people in Ohio who get together just to geek out about academic libraries. It’s always fun to hear about the awesome work people are doing and hear new ideas.

–Maureen Barry, Membership Chair, Wright State University

Posted in Vol. 36 no. 4 (Dec 2018) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Membership Report

The current membership of ALAO includes a total of 374 members consisting of 326 regular members, 3 retiree members, and 45 student members. We are excited to welcome our newest members!

New Members since September 1, 2018:

  • Ariel Bacon, Ohio State University
  • Amanda Balla, Kent State University SLIS
  • Barbara Biggs, Kent State University SLIS
  • Elli Cucksey, Capital University
  • Laura D’Amato, Baldwin Wallace University
  • Carla Everstijn, Kent State University SLIS
  • Jennifer Eyer, Kent State University SLIS
  • Kent Huffman, Kent State University SLIS
  • Michele Jennings, Ohio University
  • Bryan Kvet, Kent State University SLIS
  • Morris Levy, Ohio State University
  • Stacey McKenna, Ohio State University
  • Lisa Neagos, Denison University
  • Ashley Nix, Kent State University SLIS
  • Jenny Presnell, Miami University
  • Paul Roberts, Ohio Christian University
  • Suzanna Schroeder-Green, Ursuline College
  • Shannon Simpson, Kenyon College
  • Emily Smith, Kent State University, SLIS
  • Laura Sullivan, Northern Kentucky University
  • Janell Verdream, Ohio State University
  • Amy Zell, Kent State University SLIS

–Maureen Barry, Membership Chair, Wright State University

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Interest Groups News

Assessment IG News

Practical Assessment: From Beginner to Expert

The Assessment Interest Group is excited to share with you a sneak peek into the annual workshop, titled, Practical Assessment: From Beginner to Expert to be held March 8, 2019.

The workshop aim is to bring together learners, researchers and practitioners who have responsibility or interest in library assessment.  Presentations and demonstrations will provide effective, results-oriented library assessment strategies. Presentations will describe topics such as how to identify goals, develop methods, use measures and tools, implement assessment, communicate with stakeholders, or achieve outcomes.

We look forward to you joining us to learn about how you can use assessment to improve your library services and communicate value. Stay tuned for future communications!

-Anna Liss Jacobsen, AIG Co-Chair, Miami University
-Jennifer Starkey, AIG Co-Chair, Case Western Reserve University

Curriculum Materials Center IG News

It’s time to start planning the CMCIG spring 2019 workshop. Please take this brief survey to give us ideas on what you would like to see in your CMCIG workshop. Interested in helping the co-chairs plan the spring workshop? Contact Co-Chairs Colleen (cboff@bgsu.edu) or Marla to join us. All planning meetings will be held virtually.

Other CMCIG News

CMCIG held a roundtable discussion at the 2018 ALAO conference on November 2. The following academic librarians attended: Marla Beebe (Shawnee State), Colleen Boff (Bowling Green State University), Diane Kolosionek (Cleveland State University), Diane Schrecker (Ashland University), and Susan Steinke (University of Dayton). We were joined by two school librarians representing the Ohio Educational Library Media Association (OELMA): Lori Lee, District Librarian for Zanesville City Schools &  Dr. Linda Jacobs Swarlis, Library Director at Columbus School for Girls. One of the take-aways from our discussion was interest in working together to create a module geared towards preservice teachers. This resource would contain an overview of the research environment to expect in Ohio k-12 schools and tips for how to collaborate with school librarians.

CMCIG co-chairs were also invited to have a presence at the OELMA conference held on Oct. 24. As a consequence, the following panel presentation was given by Colleen Boff (Bowling Green State University), Joe Prince (Bowling Green State University), Diane Kolosionek (Cleveland State University) and Lorena Popelka (Columbus State Community College): High school to college transitions: Does the professional literature accurately reflect what’s happening in the trenches?

Both of these events were designed to increase interactions between librarians affiliated with OELMA and the ALAO CMCIG. We look forward to continued discussions and collaborations.

-Marla Beebe, Curriculum Materials Center IG Co-Chair, Shawnee State University
-Colleen Boff, Curriculum Materials Center IG Co-Chair, Bowling Green State University

Collection Management IG News

A small but lively group attended the CMIG forum at ALAO conference in November.  Much of the discussion revolved around licensing and acquiring streaming video; as a result we are planning an online program on this topic for the Spring.  Stay tuned to the listserv for further details.

–Sean Kennedy, co-chair, Collection Management Interest Group, University of Akron
–Fred Jenkins, co-chair, Collection Management Interest Group, University of Dayton

Community and Two Year College Libraries IG News

The Community and Two Year College Libraries Interest Group has been meeting for conversations!  During the Interest Group Round Table time at the Annual Conference, eight members talked with Deb Gilchrist about assessment and how to find time to conduct assessments.  Participants shared their experiences with assessment as well as questions and concerns about other local issues.

Four members participated in the November Semester Sound Off – a low-key online discussion.  While the advertised topic was student success, the conversation covered a variety of issues of interest to the participants.

Plan to join us for spring semester Sound Offs and online IG workshop.  If you would like to play an active role in our IG or be part of the workshop planning committee, please contact Sara Klink or Julie McDaniel.

-Sara Klink, Community and Two Year College Libraries IG Co-Chair, Stark State College
-Julie McDaniel, Community and Two Year College Libraries IG Co-Chair, Sinclair Community College

Distance Learning IG News

Last Chance to Nominate a “Distance Learning Visionary” December 20th Deadline
The Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) wishes to recognize and commend visionary librarians in distance learning who promote equitable access to library resources and services.  Who among your colleagues is implementing creative solutions, conducting studies, or coordinating programs in distance library services and learning?

ALAO’s Distance Learning Interest Group (DLIG) invites nominations for the 2019 “Distance Learning Visionary”.

To Nominate:

Nomination applications should include (1) a 250-500 word essay that demonstrates the nominee’s contributions to distance learning at an Ohio institution and (2) a brief presentation proposal to suggest what the nominee might share with colleagues at the 2019 DLIG workshop.   Links to relevant supporting materials are encouraged.  Self-nomination or group nominations are permitted.

Visionary Benefits:

  •  Awarded honor of being named the 2019 Distance Learning Visionary.
  •  Recognition at the 2019 ALAO Annual Conference, as well as on the ALAO Website, ALAO Newsletter, and the DLIG Blog.
  • Monetary grant of $150.00 to present at the 2019 DLIG workshop. (Please note that the funds are contingent upon the grantee presenting in person, remotely, or via pre-recorded session.)

For complete details and submission guidelines, please see the Distance Learning Visionary Research/Project and Presentation Grant website here or email the DLIG Co-Chairs, Rebecca Quintus and Jessie Long.

Applications are due by December 20, 2018.

-Rebecca Quintus, Distance Learning IG Co-Chair, University of Findlay
-Jesssie Long, Distance Learning IG Co-Chair, Miami University, Middletown

Instruction IG News

The Instruction Interest Group (IIG) is in planning mode for the annual Spring Workshop and we will again be pairing up with the Distance Learning Interest Group! Stay tuned for a save the date! In addition to the DLIG Co-chairs, Rebecca Quintus (Findlay) and Jessie Long (Miami-Middletown), we welcome a few new faces to the IIG/DLIG Spring workshop planning committee: Zach Walton (OSU-Lima), Abigail Morgan (Miami University) and Stacy McKenna (OSU).

We had a great turn out at the Instruction IG roundtable at the ALAO Annual Conference. It was great meeting and chatting with so many of you. It was a great way to hear what was on your mind as instruction season wraps up at our institutions. We  talked ideas for our next spring workshop, explored reflective instruction and explored the possibility of merging IIG and DLIG. We hope you can join us for the Spring Workshop!

-Mandi Goodsett, Instruction IG Co-Chair, Cleveland State University
–Lindsay Miller, Instruction IG Co-Chair, Miami University

Programming Outreach, and Marketing IG News

PROMIG held its first roundtable at the 2018 ALAO Annual Conference. The attendees included library professionals from Akron U. Otterbein, Miami, Cincinnati, Hiram and other local institutions. As an introductory meeting for the new Programming, Outreach, and Marketing interest group, the focus was on establishing a community of support and identifying barriers to achieving success.

The round table participated in a team sharing exercise identifying accomplishments that participants were proud of (in relation to programming, outreach, and marketing) and areas that have presented challenges. This activity was a great way to learn the valuable strengths that each new member will be bringing to the group.

We plan to use the information discussed at the round table to further develop resources for supporting the PROMIG community. If you are interested in joining this new interest group and being a part of the listserv, please contact Eboni Johnson  or Shaunda Vasudev.

-Eboni Johnson, Programming, Outreach, and Marketing IG Co-Chair, Oberlin College
-Shaunda Vasudev, Programming, Outreach, and Marketing IG Co-Chair, Capital University

Special Collections and Archives IG News

The Special Collections and Archives Interest Group met on November 2 at the ALAO Annual Conference for an informal roundtable discussion on the actions archivists and special collections librarians can take to cultivate success and convey value. The group shared challenges and successes and discussed ideas for future workshops.  Also, we are pleased to announce our 2019 Special Collections and Archives Interest Group annual meeting and workshop planning committee:

  • Stefanie Hunker, Browne Popular Culture Library, Bowling Green State University Libraries
  • Rachel Makarowski, Walter Havighurst Special Collections & University Archives, Miami University;
  • Christine Mannix, Packard Library, Columbus College of Art & Design;
  • William Modrow, Walter Havighurst Special Collections & University Archives, Miami University;
  • Christian Sheehy, University Library, Xavier University.

Look for a save-the-date early in the new year!

-Nick Pavlik, Special Collections and Archives IG Co-Chair, Bowling Green State University
-Suzanne Reller, Special Collections and Archives IG Co-Chair, University of Cincinnati

Scholarly Communications IG News

The ALAO Scholarly Communications Interest Group hosted a webinar, “Building a Comprehensive Licensing Review and Negotiation Program: How to Use Licenses to Secure Rights for Your Library and Your Users and to Push the Scholarly Communication System toward Openness” on November 29.  The webinar, featuring Mark Clemente, Scholarly Communications Librarian, and Shelby Stuart, Electronic Resources Librarian from Case Western Reserve University as speakers, described: the overall purpose of subscription licenses; key license clauses in the structure of license agreements; how to license for greater openness in scholarly communication; how to leverage staff expertise to collaboratively build your licensing program; how to use and create licensing tools, checklists, and model language; general license negotiation strategies; and how to track and market newly acquired rights in your licenses.  Forty-five individuals from various Ohio libraries registered for the webinar.  The webinar recording and slides will be made available in December 2018.

-Mark Clemente, Scholarly Communications IG C0-Chair, Case Western Reserve University
-Carla Myers, Scholarly Communications IG C0-Chair, Miami University

Posted in Vol. 36 no. 4 (Dec 2018) | Tagged | Leave a comment

People & Library News

Bryant & Stratton College News

The Bryant & Stratton College Eastlake campus has relocated to Solon, and is now part of the Solon Medical Campus.  The library is directly adjacent to the student center, and continues to serve the campus community as a hub for research, testing, and student organization meetings.

In August, Bryant & Stratton College transitioned to the SirsiDynix Library Manager.  At the Cleveland and Solon campuses, the SirsiDynix Enterprise catalog tool has been fully integrated into the campus Virtual Library portals, and library outreach is under way at both locations to instruct the campus community in its use.

–Joe Dudley, BSC Cleveland and Solon Campuses

 

Case Western Reserve University News

Kelvin Smith Library is pleased to announce two new library staff members:

Halle Novotney, Library Assistant IV (Student Assistant Supervisor)

Previous Position: Cafe Manager, Bon Appetit Management Company

Benjamin Gorham, Digital Learning and Scholarship Team; Research Data Specialist

Previous Position: Graduate Student, The University of Virginia

–Corina Chang, Case Western Reserve University

 

Denison University News

Yuimi Hlasten started at Denison University Libraries on October 29, 2018, as the new Electronic Resources & Scholarly Communications Librarian. Yuimi comes to Denison from Ohio State University Libraries where she was programming assistant in Publishing and Repository Services.

–Peggy Rector, Denison University

 

Oberlin College News

Rebecca Belford joined the libraries as the Conservatory Library Technical Services Librarian.  Prior to Oberlin, Belford was the music librarian at the University of Oregon, the music cataloger and reference librarian at the University at Buffalo, and the Head of Shared Cataloging and Special Formats Metadata at Brown University.

Natalie Gutiérrez-Negrón is the Conservatory Library’s Circulation Evening Supervisor. Prior to Oberlin, Gutiérrez-Negrón was an academic support specialist for the youth department at El Centro de la Raza in Seattle, where she co-spearheaded a youth-led after-school program for young people of color ages 11 to 14.

Rebecca (Becky) Sparagowski is the Archives and Special Collections Intern. Sparagowski previously worked with electronic records at the Centre for Research Collections and Metadata Services at the University of Edinburgh.

Sarah Weeks began work in August as the Associate Director of Libraries/Head of Technical Services. Weeks comes to Oberlin from St. Olaf College, where she was Head of Acquisitions and Resource Management. Previously she worked as a systems librarian for Yavapai Library Network in Arizona.

Crystal Willer is the Project Archivist for Music Special Collections in the Conservatory Library. Previously she worked at UW-Madison’s Memorial Library, the Arthur H. Robinson Map Library, and the Wisconsin Historical Society and interned at the Circus World Museum and the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

Jeremy Smith, former Special Collections Librarian and Curator of the James and Susan Neumann Jazz Collection in the Conservatory Library, left Oberlin in October to accept a position in Tennessee.

Two Oberlin College librarians will retire at the end of the calendar year: Jessica Grim, Head, Collections and Acquisitions, and Allison Gallaher, Assistant Director of Libraries/Head of Public Services.  Together, they have served the libraries for 64 years, beginning with appointments as reference and instruction librarians in an era when a robust print reference collection was truly the heart of an undergraduate library.  Their expertise and wisdom will be sorely missed, and we wish them well in new adventures.

The main library at Oberlin College is now officially the Mary Church Terrell Main Library, honoring the life and legacy of a distinguished alumna.  Terrell received three degrees from Oberlin: BA 1884, MA 1888 and an honorary degree in 1948.  She was an educator, feminist, civil rights activist, founding member of the National Association of Colored Women, and charter member of the NAACP.  The naming ceremony took place on October 6, during the college’s celebration weekend for the inauguration of Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar.  Read more: here beginning on page 4.

-Alison Ricker, Oberlin College

 

OhioNET News

After 26 years as the Executive Director/CEO of OhioNET, Michael P. Butler will be retiring on December 31, 2018.  His farewell to the library community is on the OhioNET blog.

We are preparing to welcome Nancy S. Kirkpatrick as the new Executive Director/CEO on January 2.  A full announcement is available here.

–Christine Morris, Deputy Director, OhioNET

 

The Ohio State University at Marion/Marion Technical College News

Betsy Blankenship, Director/Head Librarian at The Ohio State University at Marion/Marion Technical College Library, co-presented with Marion Technical College colleagues, Dr. Amy Adams and Professor Christy Culver “Coming Together and Reaching Out: How to Team Up with Your Library to Recognize Excellence” at The Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges Annual Conference, October 12, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio.

-Betsy Blankenship, The Ohio State University at Marion/Marion Technical College

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President’s Report

  • Early-bird registration is ending on September 14.  Early bird rates are $130 for
    Eric_Resnis-6149

    Eric Resnis, President

    ALAO/MiALA members and $160 (non members) After September 14, rates will increase to $165 for ALAO/MiALA Members and $195 for nonmembers.

  • Spaces are still available for the Assessment in Action preconference.  Note that space is limited to 40 participants. A waitlist will be maintained, but no extra seats will be added.  So if you are interested, be sure to register today!
  • Abstracts for nearly all the sessions (including the keynote) are available on the conference website.
  • For your planning, the concurrent sessions schedule is also available.
  • Conference hotel rates remain available through October 5. More information is on the conference website.

Strategic Planning

  • This year ALAO is working on creating its next strategic plan. Creating this plan involves everyone, not just the board.
  • At the board retreat in July, the board completed a SWOT analysis.
  • At our September 21 meeting, we will review the analysis and review key guiding documents such as the ALAO mission, ACRL Mission/Vision, and the ACRL Plan for Excellence
  • At the Annual Conference in November, attendees will have a chance to provide feedback on ALAO and their thoughts for the organization’s future.
  • Opportunities will be available for the membership at large to contribute after the conference.
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Call for Nominations: Jay Ladd Distinguished Service and Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award

The ALAO Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Jay Ladd

headshot-square-kelly

Katy Kelly, Past President

Distinguished Service Award and the Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award.

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 his or her 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 at https://www.alaoweb.org/aboutalao/jay-ladd-award.php.

Please submit nominations for the Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award through the Jay Ladd Distinguished Service 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 at https://www.alaoweb.org/Venditti-Award.

Please submit nominations for the Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award through the Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award online nomination form.

NOTE: You may nominate more than one person for each award! Your reasons for nominating your candidate(s) for will be especially valuable to the Awards Committee so please be as detailed as possible.

Please submit your nominations by Friday, October 12, 2018.

Questions? Please contact Katy Kelly, ALAO past president and Awards Committee chair at kkelly2@udayton.edu.

Thank you!

The 2018 ALAO Awards Committee
Katy Kelly (chair, ALAO past president), Eric Resnis (ALAO president), Katy Mathuews (ALAO vice president/president-elect), and appointed members Sue Polanka (2017 Jay Ladd Award recipient) and Jenny Donley (2017 Kathryn Venditti award recipient).

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Preliminary Plans for Next Year’s Conference

Preparations are already beginning for the 2019 Annual Conference! We will return to

Katy Mathuews

Katy Mathuews, Vice President/President Elect

Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center on October 17 and 18, 2019. If you are interested in serving on the Conference Planning Committee, please contact Katy Mathuews at mathuews@ohio.edu or vicepresident@alaoweb.org.

 

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Interest Group Reports

Collection Management Interest Group

Join us for the CMIG round table at the ALAO annual conference.   We will discuss both the changing landscape of collection management and future professional development needs that CMIG might fill.  As new co-chairs, we are looking forward to meeting current and potential members and learning more about how CMIG can best serve you.

We have also started a CMIG listserv to facilitate communication on collection management issues in Ohio.  All are welcome to join: https://www.alaoweb.org/page-776215

–Sean Kennedy, co-chair, Collection Management Interest Group, University of Akron
–Fred Jenkins, co-chair, Collection Management Interest Group, University of Dayton

Community and Two Year College Libraries IG

sound off 2

Click this link http://tinyurl.com/SaraK-CGuest to join.  Join us for either one or both sessions.  No registration required; no recording will be made.  Chrome is the optimal browser.

sound off

Questions? Contact: Sara Klink sklink@starkstate.edu or Julie McDaniel Julie.mcdaniel@Sinclair.edu

–Sara Klink, Community & Two Year College Libraries IG Co-Chair, Stark State College
–Julie McDaniel, Community & Two Year College Libraries IG Co-Chair, Sinclair Community College

Instruction IG

The Instruction Interest Group (IIG) is pleased to announce that Lindsay Miller (Miami University) is the IIG’s new co-chair! The IIG will shortly begin planning our annual Spring Workshop, and we’ll be looking for new members of our workshop planning committee, so stay tuned for a call for participants. The Instruction IG will also be hosting a roundtable at the ALAO Annual Conference, so we encourage IIG members and non-members alike to attend. At our roundtable discussion we’ll be giving a recap of our previous spring workshop, soliciting ideas for our next spring workshop, and exploring the topic of reflective instruction. We hope you can join us!

-Mandi Goodsett, Instruction IG Co-Chair, Cleveland State University
–Lindsay Miller, Instruction IG Co-Chair, Miami University

Special Collections and Archives Interest Group

The Special Collections and Archives Interest Group (SCAig) is pleased to welcome Suzanne Reller, Reference/Collections Librarian at the University of Cincinnati’s Archives and Rare Books Library, as incoming co-chair for the 2018-2020 term.  Suzanne will serve as SCAig co-chair with Nick Pavlik, Curator of Manuscripts at Bowling Green State University’s Center for Archival Collections, whose term will conclude at the end of the 2018-2019 academic year.

SCAig will be hosting a roundtable discussion at the ALAO annual conference during the IG Roundtable hour, which will focus on the actions archivists and special collections librarians can take to cultivate success and convey value within and beyond their institutions.  All conference attendees are welcome to join us!  We also would love to hear your ideas for future SCAig workshops and meetings.

For more information on SCAig, contact the co-chairs at scaig-chairs@alaoweb.org.

–Nick Pavlik, SCAig Co-Chair, Bowling Green State University
–Suzanne Reller, SCAig Co-Chair, University of Cincinnati

Scholarly Communications IG

The Scholarly Communications Interest Group continues to identify ways to keep members engaged with and informed on current scholarly communications issues. Initiatives we have been pursuing include:

  • Ongoing Bi-monthly Newsletter: This newsletter goes out every-other-month and contains links to articles (both popular and scholarly), blog postings, short informational videos, etc. exploring current scholarly communications trends and issues.
  • Partnering with OhioLINK and the University of Akron’s Affordable Learning Initiative to co-sponsor the Ohio Affordable Learning Summit, which was held in August 2018 on the University of Akron campus
  • Planning a webinar for the fall of 2018 that will explore copyright and licensing issues

If you are interested in learning more about any of these initiatives or the SCIG, please contact the co-chairs, Mark Clemente (mxc813@case.edu) or Carla Myers (myersc2@miamioh.edu) for more information.

–Carla Myers, SCAIG Co-Chair, Miami University
-Mark Clemente, SCAIG Co-Chair, Case Western Reserve University

STEM IG Report

This is an exciting time for the STEM Interest group of ALAO. After years of discussing the need for an interest group that focusses on the unique aspects of librarianship in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics we are happy to announce that we have gone live and will be participating in this year’s ALAO conference by sponsoring a roundtable! Come by and see us as we discuss future plans for our new group.

Also in the works is our Spring Workshop – STEM Solidarity: Sharing Solutions that Work, May 24th at the State Library of Ohio. We will be looking for groups or individuals who want to present on topics that impact STEM librarians, with an emphasis on problems you’ve solved and how your experiences might help librarians in other institutions. Stay tuned for an official Call for Proposals, and in the meantime if you have any questions contact us at stemig-chairs@alaoweb.org.

–Matthew Benzing, STEM IG Co-Chair, Miami University
–Ian, STEM IG Co-Chair, The University of Akron

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Notes from the Trenches

Consultants get paid a great deal of money to tell organizations (including libraries) what their customers want and need, but sometimes it’s cheaper and more effective to ask them yourself.

Here at the Business, Engineering, Science, and Technology Library (BEST) at Miami University we did a recent study on how our students were utilizing our facilities.

We planned to create a survey and then do some interviews with students. Students who filled out the survey would get entered in a drawing to win one of two $40 3D Printing Gift Certificates. Since we had the equipment and materials at hand this saved costs for us. We promoted the survey and the giveaway through posters, table cards, digital signage and the library website.

The survey gave us a lot of good basic information about students’ study habits and use of the libraries (everybody loves whiteboards!), but we wanted some in-depth information also. In the survey we asked students if they would volunteer to be interviewed in exchange for a chance to win…you guessed it, another $40 3D printing gift certificate.

We wanted to video record the interviews for future reference. Each of the interviewers were free to come up with their own recording methods. I recorded one student using my Ipad on a stand, and the other I used in or library’s video recording studio. I learned a lesson that day: test your equipment thoroughly! The iPad video was fine, but the studio video cut out about 3/4ths of the way through. Better yet, don’t be like me and think that you can master any technology without help (Me need help? I’m a librarian! Lord of all of information! Of course I can figure it out.) Ask someone who has experience.

To be able to compile our interviews into a useful format we knew that we would have to create transcripts. There are expensive services that will do this for you, but if you have unlimited funds you must not work in a library (and if so why are you reading this?). We did the work ourselves. It was tedious, but one nice by-product is that we were forced to pay careful attention to the students’ words.

In the end we learned even more about our students and their needs (food is always a concern, as is space to spread out, and access to electricity), and gained some valuable experience along the way.

–Matthew M. Benzing, STEM IG Co-Chair, Miami University

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Membership Report

The current membership of ALAO includes a total of 368 members consisting of 326 regular members, 3 retiree members, and 39 student members. We are excited to welcome our newest members!

New Members since June 1, 2018:

  • Amy Leoni, Franciscan University of Steubenville
  • John Popadak, Youngstown State University
  • Mark Dahlquist, Miami University
  • Chelewa Gant, Bowling Green State University
  • Allison Gallaher, Oberlin College
  • Sterling Coleman, Jr., Clark State Community College
  • Heather Mitchell-Botts, University of Cincinnati, Clermont College
  • Matt Francis, Ohio Northern University
  • Katy Tucker, Union Institute & University
  • Abigail Morgan, Miami University
  • David Moffat, Eastern Gateway Community College
  • Sharon Gravius, Ursuline College
  • Kim Greenslade, Denison University
  • Anne Kumer, Case Western Reserve University
  • Shelby Stuart, Case Western Reserve University
  • Shaunda Vasudev, Capital University

–Maureen Barry, Membership Chair, Wright State University

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