Upcoming Grant Deadlines – Apply now!

Posted on December 17, 2010 by alaoadmin

ALAO Continuing Education Grant

The ALAO Continuing Education Grant is awarded once a year to support the cost of participating in professional development opportunities. Current members are eligible to apply for any library related educational opportunity occurring during the 2011 calendar year.

The Professional Development Committee (PDC) will select the application(s) that best explain how the grant will further the applicant’s professional development. The amount of money available for the 2011 Continuing Grant Program is $2,500 which may be awarded to one individual or divided among two or more top ranked applicants. The PDC will take into consideration the amount of funding the applicant’s employer will provide for the request, as well as what the employer provided during the past fiscal year. The PDC will notify the award recipients and will arrange payment. Within sixty days of the educational event, the recipient must submit a brief report to the PDC confirming proof of attendance.

Please complete the application form and provide the required documentation including a description of how the continuing education opportunity will further your professional development and an itemized list of associated costs. The deadline is January 15th, 2011.

2011 ALAO Research Grant Program

Working toward tenure, or perhaps interested in putting together your first research project? Will you need money to fund that new or current research project on libraries, librarianship, or information science and technology? The ALAO Research and Publications committee would love to help! As an ALAO member you have the opportunity to receive a $500.00 grant award in support of your research. Our 2011 research grant program is underway, and you can apply today!

For more information about award eligibility, application procedures and deadlines, check out the Research and Publications Committee (RPC) web page on the ALAO Wild Apricot main site. Our RPC page is in the “Committees” section of ALAO main page. Please also check out other services and resources that our committee provides to help support your research.

And, make sure to submit your application for this year’s research grant program by January 31, 2011. We look forward to learning about your research project!

If you have any questions, please contact the PDC Chair, Don Appleby at: dappleby@uakron.edu

Posted in Vol. 28 no. 3 (Dec 2010) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Upcoming Spring Workshop Dates

Posted on December 17, 2010 by alaoadmin

Curriculum Materials Center Interest Group Spring 2011 Workshop
May 20, 2011 (Tentative)

CMCIG is currently planning their Spring Workshop, which will be held on the campus of Wright State University. More details will be forthcoming.

Distance Learning Interest Group Spring 2011 Workshop
May 13, 2011 (Time TBD)

The DLIG Spring Workshop,” INOV8 Revitalizing Distance Learning,” is scheduled for Friday, May 13, 2011 at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio. The workshop will focus on ways to revitalize your approach to distance learning by looking at where we are, where we are going, and where we would like to be. Look for more details and registration forms coming soon!

We are accepting proposals for presentations that will motivate and inspire our distance learning colleagues and welcome submissions that feature innovative use of freely available technologies, successful strategies for connecting to our students and faculty, tips for librarianship in learning management systems or online courses, etc.

For more details or to submit a proposal, please email:
Christina Bonner at bonnerc@ohiodominican.edu or Kathleen Pickens-French at pickenke@muohio.edu.

Instruction Interest Group Spring 2011 Workshop
April 21, 2011

The workshop will be held at Franklin University in Columbus. More details to come.

Support Staff Interest Group Spring 2011 Workshop
May 13, 2011 (8:45 AM – 3:30 PM)

The SSIG 2011 Spring meeting is on Friday, May 13, 2011 on the campus of Southern State Community College.

More details will be forthcoming!

Technical, Electronic, and Digital Services Interest Group Spring 2011 Workshop
TBD

TEDSIG is currently planning their Spring Workshop. More details will be forthcoming.

Posted in Vol. 28 no. 3 (Dec 2010) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Diversity Committee

Posted on December 17, 2010 by alaoadmin

Diane Kolosionek, Cleveland State University

ALAO Diversity Committee Wants Your Input
The ALAO Diversity Committee is in the process of reviewing ideas for their spring program and we would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. If you have attended or heard of a great program recently that speaks to diversity, inclusion and equity in libraries, please let us know by sending an email to the ALAO Diversity Committee Chair, Diane Kolosionek (d.kolosionek44@csuohio.edu). Thanks for your consideration.

NEW from ARL: Diversity Plans and Programs, SPEC Kit 319
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has published Diversity Plans and Programs, SPEC Kit 319, which explores what progress has been made in ARL member libraries to recruit and retain a diverse workforce; their recruitment and retention strategies; the elements of programs that successfully support an inclusive workplace; the people, groups, and/or committees responsible for overseeing the programs; and how libraries are assessing the effectiveness and success of such programs.

This survey indicates there has been a significant increase in the number of groups and committees formed to address diversity or inclusive workplace goals in the past ten years. Approximately half of the responding libraries have ongoing presentations and/or workshops on issues relevant to promoting an inclusive workplace.

Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce continues to be a challenge for libraries. It is evident that research libraries are committed to actively recruit librarians from underrepresented ethnic/racial groups and have employed a variety of strategies to increase the diversity of applicant pools.

This SPEC Kit includes documentation from respondents in the form of diversity statements, diversity plans, and descriptions of diversity and recruitment programs. Programs and plans from Ohio University and Kent State University are included. For more information, including an executive summary and table of contents, please visit the ARL SPEC Kit website.

Posted in Vol. 28 no. 3 (Dec 2010) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Instruction Interest Group

Posted on December 17, 2010 by alaoadmin

Kathryn Venditti, Ashland University

The Instruction Interest Group (IIG) hosted an information table, and sponsored a session at the ALAO Annual Conference. The well-attended session, Teaching Tomorrow’s Students Today: Keeping Library Instruction Relevant was presented by Sara Klink (Stark State College) and Melissa Bauer (Walsh University) who shared active learning theories, instruction tips and tricks developed to engage the interest of today’s college students. The evaluation comments were very positive, with many attendees expressing appreciation for the 2.0 tools shared by the presenters.

Arrangements are underway for the IIG’s spring workshop, to be held at Franklin University on April 21, 2011.

Posted in Vol. 28 no. 3 (Dec 2010) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Distance Learning Interest Group

Posted on December 17, 2010 by alaoadmin

Christina Bonner, Ohio Dominican

DLIG was pleased to sponsor at the ALAO Conference this year the session entitled “Town and Gown: Collaborations between a Public Library and an Academic Library,” by Krista McDonald (Miami University-Hamilton) and Carol Bowling (Lane Public Library).

DLIG is also sponsoring its annual spring workshop in 2011. The workshop, INOV8: Revitalizing Distance Learning, will be offered May 13, 2011 at the Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio. The workshop will focus on ways to revitalize approaches to distance learning by looking at where we are, where we are going, and where we would like to be. Proposals are currently being accepted, and the DLIG Planning Committee will continue to make arrangements for the workshop.

On ALAO’s new web site, Kathleen Pickens-French, DLIG Co-Chair, has added the DLIG web page with information about both of these events.

In addition to sponsoring a conference session and workshop this year, DLIG is also considering initiating a Distance Learning Interest Group Vision Award. A draft proposal for the award has been written and will be submitted to the Board for consideration at the November 2010 meeting.

Lastly, the DLIG Planning Committee now numbers four and currently consists of Christina Bonner, Kathleen Pickens-French, Megan Frazer, and Jessica H. Long.

Posted in Vol. 28 no. 3 (Dec 2010) | Tagged | Leave a comment

People and Library News

Posted on December 17, 2010 by alaoadmin

Bowling Green State University

Kay Flowers has been selected as the dean of Bowling Green State University Libraries. Flowers was selected following a national search. She has more than 30 years’ experience in university libraries. At Idaho State, a campus of about 13,000 students, she oversees the main library collection, the Idaho Health Sciences Library, the Oliver Law Library, the University Library Center in Idaho Falls and a joint library project with an area school district.

Flowers began her library career at Rice University’s Fondren Library, serving as assistant university librarian for library information technology and, before that, assistant University librarian for automated services and head of circulation. She interrupted her work at Rice, from 1983-84, to obtain a master of library science degree from the University of Illinois.

She also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rice and has nearly completed a doctorate of education at Idaho State.
Linda Kramer is the new Head Librarian of the Curriculum Resource Center. Linda’s previous experience as an academic librarian coupled with her years in school libraries and in the classroom serves the CRC, UL, and BGSU well.

Kellie Tilton began a temporary, one-year appointment as Associate Librarian for Government Documents in August. Kellie has made significant contributions to the Government Documents unit throughout her employment on a Non-Student Letter of Appointment. Her excellent project management, planning, and organizational skills serve her well in advancing the work of the unit.

Vera Lux began a temporary, one-year appointment as Associate Librarian/Instructor for Library Teaching & Learning in September. Vera comes to BGSU from the University of South Florida Tampa Library where, as Visiting Instructor Librarian, she provided both face-to-face and virtual reference services, instruction in undergraduate and graduate courses as well as individual research consultations, created web-based subject and course guides, and performed collection development activities, including a de-selection project.

Vicki Seifert is now the full-time Library Associate 2 in the Curriculum Resource Center, effective in October. Vicki previously served as a Library Associate 1 in the Curriculum Resource Center.

Each fall, the Department of Higher Education and Student Affairs presents the University Community Fellowship Award to a BGSU faculty, staff or student community member who has made extraordinary contributions to building collegial working relationships at BGSU.

This year’s recipient was Cathi Cardwell, an Associate Professor in the University Libraries and the library’s Instruction Coordinator. She was chosen for her work as chair of the Connecting the Undergraduate Experience committee and service as Interim Vice Provost for Academic Programs from January 2009 to August 2010.

Recent Retirees from BGSU
Seven talented library faculty and staff members retired on June 30, 2010. Together they have served the University Libraries for over 215 years of service. We appreciate their extraordinary service and wish them all the best!

The “Class of 2010” of includes: Cliff Glaviano, 26 years; Gaynelle Predmore, 30 years; Coleen Parmer, 34 years; Bette Blair, 33 years; Christine Plotts, 40 years; Mary Wrighten, 20 years; and Mary Reynolds, 33 years.

Benedictine University (Illinois)

Brian Hickam (ALAO vice-president/president-elect) presented a paper on the
power of storytelling through music at the third annual “Heavy Fundametalisms: Music, Metal & Politics” conference (sponsored by Inter-disciplinary.net; held in Prague).

Case Western Reserve University

Stephanie Church was promoted to Librarian I, Assistant Acquisitions Librarian/Metadata Assistant

Arnold Hirshon was selected as Associate Provost and University Librarian. Mr. Hirshon was formerly the chief strategist and executive consultant for LYRASIS Inc., the nation’s largest library consortia organization serving libraries in the U.S. and abroad.

John Stashinko was hired as Analyst Programmer 3.

Bryant & Stratton College

Cleveland Downtown campus of Bryant & Stratton College moved into their newly renovated, state-of-the-art facility at 3121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio for the start of the fall 2010 semester is September. The library is housed on the third floor of the new facility and is also home to the campus tutoring center.

Columbus State Community College

The Education Resources Center (ERC) at Columbus State Community College is pleased to announce the following promotions of their librarians: Kim Leggett, Supervisor 1 to Supervisor 2, Tracy Kemp, Librarian to Supervisor 1, Ryan Ziegler, P/T Librarian to F/T Circulation Program Coordinator and Dana Knott, Librarian to F/T Program Reference Coordinator.

The Education Resources Center (ERC) at Columbus State Community College is pleased to report that it has currently begun the first phase of a three-phase building renovation. The entire renovation is projected to be completed with its transition from a traditional library space to a learning commons in Fall 2011.

Kent State University

Stephanie Tulley, 2010-2011 Read Graduate Assistant


The Kent State University Libraries’ Department of Special Collections and Archives is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie Tulley as the 2010-2011 Dr. Gerald H. and Victoria C. T. Read Graduate Assistant. Ms. Tulley is currently pursuing dual Master’s degrees in business administration and library and information science. She is a 2007 graduate of Kansas State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in economics and international studies. She is a member of the national Phi Kappa Phi Academic Society and was selected as a member of the National Society for Collegiate Scholars while at Kansas State.

A program of the Kent State University Libraries, the assistantship is funded by a generous donation from the Dr. Gerald H. and Victoria C. T. Read family and is intended to provide intensive pre-professional experience in special collections and archives to a student enrolled in the School of Library and Information and Science.

Oberlin College

Catalina Oyler began work as the Five Colleges of Ohio Mellon Digital Initiatives Coordinator in July. Based in Oberlin, Catalina spends her time among all of the Five Colleges of Ohio (Denison, Kenyon, Oberlin, Ohio Wesleyan, Wooster). The Mellon Digital Initiatives grant, a $600,000 two-year project funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, supports efforts to integrate digital resources into the curricula of the five schools.

Selina Wang is the new Head of Cataloging and Metadata Services. Selina’s first day on the job was November 1; she joined Oberlin’s staff after five years at MIT, most recently serving as Associate Head, Cataloging and Metadata Services, and Head of the Monograph Cataloging Unit. Prior to her MIT experience, Selina held library positions in New York State Library, University of New Orleans and as Consortium Librarian for the LOUISiana Library Network, based at Louisiana State University.

Ohio State University

Beth Forrest Warner has been appointed Associate Director of Information Technology for The Ohio State University Libraries (OSUL). Libraries’ Director Carol Pitts Diedrichs announced Warner’s appointment, which was made following a nationwide search. Warner has more than 30 years experience in information technology, automated library information services, management, and project planning. She holds a Masters in Library Science from the University of Denver. Warner specializes in technology planning, technical architecture, digital library services and systems, digital preservation, project management and evaluation, and grant writing. She is currently Officer for Grants, Research Support and Library Assessment at the University of Kansas. Warner will assume her new duties at Ohio State on January 18.

The Ohio State University – Marion Campus

The Ohio State University at Marion/Marion Technical College Library hosted the National Library of Medicine Exhibit, Harry Potter’s World; Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine from October 31 – December 11, 2010. The exhibit explored the historical roots of a modern sensation thru the use of 6 large banners with themes of Potions, Monsters, Magical Creatures, Fantastic Beasts, Herbology and Immortality, using images from the National Library of Medicine.

The campus library supplemented the exhibit with local displays, programs, an edible book contest and a chance to win a complete hardbound set of Harry Potter books. The library was awarded The Barbara Van Brimmer Academic Scholar Award in 2009 from The Ohio State University Prior Health Sciences Library to help with exhibit expenses.

Ohio University

A project to provide digitized Ohio University Yearbooks was recently completed by staff at Ohio University Libraries. In addition, The Center for International Collections’ Southeast Asia Collection in Alden Library announced the release of a recent digitization project featuring selections from the diaries of King Chulalongkorn of Thailand. Visit these online collections at the Libraries’ Digital Initiatives page.

His Excellency Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana, visited Ohio University’s Alden Library on September 28th as part of a visit to Ohio University. Alden Library has a long standing relationship with Botswana, being an official depository for Botswana materials since 1990. The depository and the Africana collection was recently mentioned as one of the strengths of Ohio University’s African Studies Program, designated a Title VI National Resource Center (NRC) by the U.S. Department of Education, ranking the Ohio University program among the top programs in the country.

Materials from the Alwin Nikolais and Murray Louis Dance Collection, a part of Ohio University Libraries’ Mahn Center for Archives & Special Collections at Alden Library, will be on display at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts from October 21 through January 15, 2011. The materials are part of an exhibit celebrating Nikolais’ work.

This Fall, Ohio University Libraries began offering two new services – a Text-A-Librarian service and a mobile website. The Text-A-Librarian service, created by Chad Boeninger, Business Librarian and Reference Technology Coordinator at Alden Library, was featured in the October 20th issue of ALA’s email newsletter American Libraries Direct.

OHRAB Achievement Award Announced

Winners of the 2010 Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board’s Achievement Awards are Cleveland State University’s Michael Schwartz Library Special Collections Department and Montgomery County Records Center and Archives.

Cleveland State’s Special Collections Department has led the Cleveland Memory Project since its beginning in 2002. Institutions as diverse as the Cuyahoga County Engineer’s Office, Berea Children’s Home, Rocky River Public Library, Hathaway Brown School, and Lakewood Historical Society have contributed materials from their collections to Cleveland Memory. Project partners have made more than 42,000 images and other historic items available online. Practicum and internship opportunities provide real world experience to students while bringing fresh from the classroom perspectives to practitioners. Cleveland Memory is a model of multi-institutional collaboration melding local collection knowledge, shared infrastructure, and professional development opportunities. OHRAB congratulates Cleveland State University and its partners for expanding access to Ohio’s historic resources.

In 2006 the Montgomery County Records Center and Archives faced every archivist’s nightmare. Active mold, cracked spines on bound volumes, and inadequate storage threatened the existence of the county’s historic records. Through a systematic program of compliance with neglected records disposal schedules, environmental improvements and monitoring, and conservation treatment, Montgomery County Records Center and Archives staff have demonstrated that even monumental problems can be mitigated if approached with determination and creativity. The results of their efforts include reduced storage costs, improved access, and the confidence that the early records of Montgomery County will survive. OHRAB recognizes the Montgomery County Records Center and Archives for preserving Ohio’s public history records.

Nominees for the Achievement Award represented small towns and large cities; public and private institutions; universities, historical societies, and records centers; and a full range of historic records – maps, photographs, marriage, birth, death, and estate records, and more. Common to all their successes were collaboration, determination, creativity, and a passionate commitment to the preservation and expanded use of Ohio’s historic records. Clearly, Ohio’s historic records community is achieving admirable results.

For more information please contact awards committee chair Jill Tatum at 216-368-4106 or jill.tatem@case.edu.

The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board is the central body for historical records planning in the Ohio. Board members represent Ohio’s public and private archives, records offices, and research institutions.

OLSSI (Michael Bradshaw)

Amy Pickenpaugh, former Chairperson of OLSSI: the Ohio Library Support Staff Institute, won the ALAO Award of Excellence.

Sinclair Community College

Austin D. Pevler joined Sinclair’s library staff in February as Reference/Digital Services Librarian. He holds an MLS from Kent State University and a B.A. in history from Ohio State University. Previously, Austin worked at Central Ohio Technical College and Denison University. Austin has a passion for Ohio history and genealogy.

Wright State University

Recently, Wright State University participated in a Center for Transforming Student Services (CENTSS) audit for online student services. Wright State University Libraries’ “Library Elf Alerts” won a second place CENTSS Innovation Award for the Academic Services Suite– Generation 5.

The complete list of award winners is available online.

Wright State University – Lake Campus

On October 30, 2010 Mika Sasaki was hired as a library assistant. She replaces Barbara Hicks, who passed away suddenly in May 2010.

Posted in Vol. 28 no. 3 (Dec 2010) | Tagged | Leave a comment

President’s Report (July 2010)

Posted on July 30, 2010 by alaoadmin

Rocki Strader, Ohio State

The ALAO Executive Board held its Annual Leadership Retreat on July 12-13 marking several transitions in our leadership.

2009 and 2010 Board members: Front: Brian Hickam, Peggy Rector, Karen Wilhoit, Brian Gray, Don Appleby, Alison Ricker, Rocki Strader, Kathy Burns. Row 2: Linda Scott, Mary Ayres, Rob Withers, Nicole Robinson, Angel Gondek, Kathryn Venditti, Deberah England, Pat Wood, Diane Kolosionek. Row 3: Frank Bove, David Allen, Christina Bonner, Krista McDonald, Ione Damascus, Gaynelle Predmore. Back: Greg Martin, Chris Thornton, Kathleen Pickens-French, Kiffany Francis, Kathy Yoder.

We noted the service of those who completed their terms on the Board:  Karen Wilhoit (Past President); Angel Gondek (Membership Chair); Ione Damasco and  Stephena Harmony (Board Members at Large); Carolyn Sanders and Kathy Yoder (Curriculum Materials Center Interest Group co-chairs); Kathy Burns (Support Staff Interest Group co-chair); Kiffany Francis (Technical, Electronic and Digital Services Interest Group co-chair); Kristen Kirchgesler (Distance Learning Interest Group co-chair); and Ken Burhanna (Diversity Committee Chair).

At the same time, we welcomed new leaders to the Board: Brian Hickam (Vice-President/President-Elect); Pat Wood (Membership Chair); Mark Eddy, Angel Gondek, and Krista McDonald (Board Members at Large); Stephanie Bange and Linda Scott (Curriculum Materials Center Interest Group co-chairs); David Allen (Support Staff Interest Group co-chair); Elias Tzoc Caniz (Technical, Electronic and Digital Services Interest Group co-chair); Kathleen Pickens-French (Distance Learning Interest Group co-chair); and Diane Kolosionek (Diversity Committee Chair).

It was a privilege to work with all these folks through the retreat, and I look forward to working with the new Board through the coming year.  We are facing several challenges and opportunities:

One such challenge will be working through changes happening with our current fiscal agent, SWON Libraries, as they reorganize over the next several months.  This is the second such challenge in the last two years.  Part of ALAO’s response is to begin the process of becoming an incorporated non-profit organization (but still remaining a chapter of ACRL).

I would like to use this opportunity to solicit the general ALAO membership for interest in the Research and Publications Committee.  This committee’s charge includes (but is not limited to) awarding a grant of up to $500 annually, and maintaining awareness of other grants and awards that may be of interest to ALAO members.  If you are interested, please contact Rocki Strader, Brian Hickam, or Mark Eddy.

We continue to follow through on moving our membership database to a new software platform.  Most of this is in place.  We used the new system, Wild Apricot, for this spring’s election.  All is on track for handling online registrations for this year’s conference and for migrating our web content.

Speaking of the conference:  “Academic Libraries: Now and Tomorrow,” ALAO’s 36th Annual Conference, will be held on October 29, 2010, at the Crowne Plaza Columbus North, Columbus, Ohio.

My thanks to everyone who has served ALAO on the Board, the Program Committee (aka Conference Planning), and committees and interest groups as we move into a new year.  I hope you and others will seek out these opportunities with ALAO in the future.  We are in challenging and exciting times, and ALAO is well positioned to move forward and meet them, as our conference theme says, “now and tomorrow!”

Posted in Vol. 28 no. 2 (Jul 2010) | Leave a comment

Photos from the ALAO Board Retreat: July 12-13

Posted on July 30, 2010 by alaoadmin

Past President Rob Withers passing the gavel to new President Rocki Strader

Alison Ricker and Mary Ayres chatting at Cherry Valley Lodge

Greg Martin and Gaynelle Predmore

The 2010-2011 Board - Front: Rocki Strader, Nicole Robinson, Peggy Rector. 2nd Row: Chris Thornton, Brian Hickam, Alison Ricker, Kathryn Venditti (partially hidden), Krista McDonald, Pat Brown, Don Appleby. Back: David Allen, Mary Ayres, Gaynelle Predmore, Deberah England, Frank Bove (behind Deberah), Christina Bonner, Diane Kolosionek, Greg Martin, Kathleen Pickens-French

Posted in Vol. 28 no. 2 (Jul 2010) | Leave a comment

Library Legislation Day / Library Advocacy Day in 2010

Posted on July 30, 2010 by alaoadmin

Alison Ricker, Oberlin College

The heat, humidity and relentless sunshine did not deter some 2,000 librarians from a rally for American libraries on Tuesday, June 29, at the tail end of the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.  I was grateful to be part of the group as one of ALAO’s legislative advocates, and thank ALAO for supporting me with a Legislative Advocate Travel Award.

Michigan U.S. House Representative Vern Ehlers, vocal proponent of libraries, with former Michigander Alison Ricker, Oberlin College

The Ohio contingent included nearly 30 people, representing school, public, and academic libraries, plus INFOhio and the State Library.  Prior to the conference, William Morris of the State Library did a superb job of keeping us informed and arranging appointments with members of congress and/or their staff.

Between the legislative alerts from the ALA Washington Office and materials prepared specifically for Ohio, we were armed with excellent background information and talking points on funding the Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) and Improving Literacy Through School Libraries; a mandate to include school libraries, staffed with a full-time state-certified school librarian, in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA); and requests to support Net Neutrality, the Access to 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, and Federal Research Public Access Act (FRPAA, H.R. 5037).


We also sought support for the Congressional Research Service Electronic Accessibility Act of 2009 (H.R. 3762), Open the Congressional Research Service (S.R. 118), and to oppose the Fair Copyright in Research Works Act (H.R. 801), which would negate and reverse the NIH Public Access Policy and block FRPAA.  You can readily find information on all of this at www.ala.org/ogr.

The entire group met with Senator Brown’s Legislative Assistant for Education issues, Moira Lenehan-Razzuri, shortly after the rally, where we emphasized the effectiveness and efficiency of LSTA-funded collaboration within Ohio and the essential role of libraries for education, training, and economic development in the state. Individual appointments with our representatives were next, followed by a smaller group meeting with Dana Smullen, Professional Staff Member for Senator Voinovich.

Ray English and I met with Deborah Koolbeck, Legislative Director for the Hon. Marcy Kaptur (9th District, which includes Oberlin), and with the Hon. Jim Jordan (4th District) and his Legislative Director George Poulios.  Jordan and Poulios were very generous with their time, as was Debra Logan, school librarian in Mount Gilead, who graciously allowed us to tag along to her appointment.  FRPAA was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, of which Kaptur and Jordan are both members.  Other Ohio members of that committee include Steve Driehaus, Dennis Kucinich, and Michael Turner – if you are a constituent of any of these Representatives, I urge you to write to him/her and ask for an open hearing on the FRPAA bill.

I greatly enjoyed the day’s experience, and had fun as an Advocacy volunteer during the conference – handing out flyers at the Exhibits Opening and directing foot traffic on the morning of the rally gave me some insight into the coordination required for an event of this size.  I recommend it to anyone with an interest in how our country is governed – and isn’t that all of us?

Posted in Vol. 28 no. 2 (Jul 2010) | Leave a comment

Continuing Education Grant Awards for 2010

Posted on July 30, 2010 by alaoadmin

Stephena Harmony, UC Raymond Walters

The Professional Development Committee (PDC) is pleased to announce the following awards for 2010:

•    Sevim McCutcheon, Kent State University, to attend the annual ALA conference with the focus on the new RDA cataloging standards;

•    Carla Myers, University of Akron, to attend the Center for Intellectual Property Symposium at the University of Maryland with the focus on copyright issues pertaining to academic libraries.

Congratulations Sevim and Carla!

Recognizing both the increase in costs for professional development and a greater need of support for ALAO members, the ALAO Board approved an increase of $500 for the Continuing Education(CE) grant.  In 2011 the CE grant will be $2,500.

The PDC also revised procedures to clarify deadlines, outline the blind review process in greater detail, and address changing circumstances of applicants prior to and following the award of the grant.

The 2010 PDC Committee members are:
Don Appleby
Ione Damasco
Stephena Harmony, Chair
Gregory Martin
Nicole Robinson

Posted in Vol. 28 no. 2 (Jul 2010) | Leave a comment