Diversity Committee

Ken Burhanna, Chair (Kent State)

The Diversity Committee is pleased to award the annual ALAO Diversity Scholarship for 2009-2010 to Joshua Alvarez. Joshua recently graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religious Studies and will be beginning his MLIS coursework this fall through Kent State University Columbus Program. His scholarship includes $1,500 towards tuition, complimentary registration for the ALAO annual conference in October and a year of mentoring with a selected ALAO member.

The Committee was impressed with the overall quality of this year’s applicant pool, but Joshua’s record of strong academic achievement and his demonstrated commitment to diversity helped his application stand out. His impressive academic record includes numerous appearances on the Dean’s list and several scholarships. He also studied abroad in Greece during spring 2008. While Joshua is only starting his library education, he already has library-related experience. He worked as a library assistant at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and served as an intern for the Ohio Historical Society.



Congratulations to Joshua Alvarez! The Committee is confident he will be a strong leader and advocate for diversity and inclusion in academic libraries.

Posted in Vol. 27 no. 2 (Jul 2009) | Leave a comment

Upcoming Events

August 2-4, 2009
Ohio Library Support Staff Institute
Denison University
More information: http://www.olssi.org/index.htm

October 3-6, 2009
Midwest Chapter/MLA Annual Conference
Hyatt on Capitol Square, Columbus, OH
More information: http://midwestmla.org/conference2009/

October 30, 2009
ALAO Annual Conference
Roberts Conference Centre, Wilmington, OH
Theme: At the Crossroads: Recharging, Redefining, and Realigning our Libraries
More information: http://www.alaoweb.org/conferences/conf2009/index.html

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People and Library News

Ashland

As of July 1, Ed Krakora is the new library director at Ashland University. Ed come to Ashland from Heidelberg College where he was the library director since 1990

Bowling Green

Tom Atwood, Dean of Bowling Green State University Libraries, retired July 1. Atwood joined BGSU in June 2007 after serving as director of the Ocasek Medical Library at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM), in Rootstown. Under his leadership, the University Libraries improved computing technology in the library by incorporating two new computer classrooms into Jerome, upgrading the electronic reading room and expanding public computing in the lobby. Last fall, the libraries collaborated with the University Bookstore and some faculty members to pilot a textbook rental-reserve project to enable some students to rent textbooks on an hourly basis.

Sara Bushong has been appointed Interim Dean of the University Libraries effective July 1, 2009. Bushong joined the BGSU faculty in 2000, as Head Librarian of the Curriculum Resource Center in the University Libraries (UL). Prior to her appointment to the BGSU faculty, Bushong held posts as District Elementary Librarian and Technology Curriculum Coordinator for the Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools, and choral music teacher in Whigham, Georgia. Bushong earned a Master of Education degree in Library and Educational Media from BGSU, and a Master of Library Science degree from Kent State University. She has served as chair of the UL Archival Collections and Branches department since 2005. This past spring, after a national search, she accepted the appointment of Associate Dean. Bushong also teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in the School of Teaching and Learning at BGSU.

Juli McCarroll is the new  Coordinator of Circulation in Access Services.  McCarroll brings a wealth of leadership and technological experience through previous positions she has held and holds a MLIS from Drexel University.

Joelle Thomas began as the  Associate Librarian/Instructor in the Library Teaching & Learning department. Thomas brings a passion for and experience with both classroom teaching and one-on-one instruction, and has taught at Kent State University and in Japan.  Thomas holds an MLS from Kent State University.
Elisabeth Moser began as the Depository Supervisor in May.  Moser earned her MLIS Degree from Kent State University, and brings strong management and supervisory skills from her previous work experience, most recently as Adult and Technical Services Librarian at the Pemberville Public Library.

Case Western Reserve

Patricia Butts, Library Assistant in the Bibliographic and Metadata Services department, announced her retirement after 23 years at the library.

Earnestine Adeyemon, Electronic Resources Librarian, wrote the following article
Integrating Digital Literacies into Outreach Services for Underserved Youth Populations which appeared in the publication The Reference Librarian, 1541-1117, Volume 50, Issue 1, 2009, Pages 85 – 98

E. Gail Reese, Associate Director for Collections and Personnel, presented a poster session at the ACRL 2009 Conference in Seattle, “Future Connections@KSL, Creating Tomorrow’s Workforce through a Community Mentoring Program.” The Future Connections Program is in its 7th year at Kelvin Smith Library.  The Library hosts students selected by teachers and counselors in the Cleveland and suburban schools to participate in an eight week summer program.  The students, Juniors from their respective schools, are placed in cultural and educational institutions for the first four weeks and in a business setting for the final four weeks.  The Kelvin Smith Library component introduces the students to the library and its staff while they receive training in all aspects of a library’s operation.  The students are encouraged to consider librarianship as a future vocation.

Case Western Reserve University has been picked as one of five campuses to pilot the new Kindle DX this fall. The Kindles will be provided to up to 50 undergraduate students to explore their ability to serve as a textbook replacement and as an instructional tool. The experience will be tracked and assessed for how it may change the educational process. The Kelvin Smith Library will be promoting and exploring access to electronic information such as journals and e-books, and has already adapted the electronic reserve system to function with the Kindle. The idea percolated from simultaneous conversations that came together after the library staff had time to play with the first generation Kindle and a chemistry professor was exploring new technologies for his classroom.
Sharlane Gubkin, Head of Preservation, received word that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will be awarding a core set of Conservation books – the “Connecting to Collections Bookshelf”to the library.

Miami University Middletown


John Burke, library director at the Middletown regional campus of Miami University, was promoted to associate librarian and granted continuing contract effective July 1, 2009.  John joined the staff of the Middletown campus in 2002 and was named director in 2006.  He has just published a third edition of his book, the Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion: a Basic Guide for Library Staff (Neal-Schuman Publishers,2009).

Oberlin College


Ray English, Azariah Smith Root director of libraries at Oberlin College, was named the 2009 winner of the Hugh C. Atkinson Memorial Award. English received a cash award and a citation during the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, at the Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) President’s Program held Monday, July 13.

The Atkinson Award, which recognizes an academic librarian who has made significant contributions in the area of library automation, library management, or library development and research, is jointly sponsored by four ALA divisions.

“Ray English has provided transformative leadership within his own institution, his state and region, in ACRL [the Association of College and Research Libraries] and as a national leader in scholarly communications,” said Sarah Michalak, Hugh C. Atkinson Memorial Award Committee Chair and University Librarian at the University of North
Carolina-Chapel Hill. “The award has been given to a college librarian only once before in its 21 year history.”

Ohio Northern

Jenny Kunkler is originally from Stone Mountain, Georgia. She received her BA in English from the College of Wooster, and later her MLIS from Kent State. At Ohio Northern University she will be the Cataloging and Serials Librarian, and she is looking forward to the challenging aspects that may arise from both sides of the position. When not buried in books and serials at work, she is usually found spending time with her many  pets or going for a long run around the village of Ada.

The Ohio State University


Betsy Blankenship of the OSU Marion campus recently co-authored with with Patricia S. Wood Electronic Reserve on a Regional Campus: The Evolution of the Service. Journal of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery & Electronic Reserve. 19(2), April, p. 131-135.

Southern State Community College


The library staff at Southern State Community College accompanied several students taking children’s literature to the ALA annual conference in Chicago July 9-15th.  A total of 18 from SSCC attended ALA this year, visiting the exhibits and attending sessions.  Louis Mays, professor and librarian, co-presented with Paula Deal (INFOhio) and others at an early morning session.  His program was entitled “Closing the Gap: Making Information Literacy Seamless Across K-16”.   Students spent their time visiting exhibits and getting autographed copies of their favorite books for children and young adults.  In addition to library staff and students, faculty members in education and chemistry also attend ALA this year.
The Fayette Campus in Washington Court House has been renovated and expanded to double the previous size.  If you are in the Fayette County area, please stop by the campus to see the new community room, classrooms, and offices.  The library at Fayette Campus recently moved to a new location, and once the renovation is completed, the library will have more room overall.  Stop by the campus and visit with Carissa Thatcher and her staff for a tour of the facility.  The grand opening will take place in August.
Wittenberg University
Doug Lehman, Director of Thomas Library, was elected to serve a one-year term as Secretary of the College Libraries Section of ACRL for 2009-10. Doug will also serve of as chair of the SOCHE Library Council for 2009-10.

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President's Report

Karen Wilhoit, Wright State University

Looking Ahead to 2009:

It’s hard to believe that we are already three months into the new year.  ALAO is moving forward on many fronts.  Our annual elections will be underway soon.  Doug Morrison has worked hard to put together a slate of candidates for 2009/2010, and I hope that all ALAO members to participate in the election.  I would also encourage you to consider becoming involved in ALAO by running for office in the future.  ALAO is strengthened when new people become involved in the organization, and service to ALAO is one way to start becoming involved in the profession.

There is a lot going on in ALAO this spring.  The Diversity Committee and the Interest Groups are offering (or have already held) their spring workshops.  These are always well-planned, interesting, and timely continuing education opportunities.  The board continues to work on plans for a membership database so that we can better serve member needs.  In addition, we are talking about opportunities and services for retired and student members, updating the website, and making the ALAO archives more accessible.

Finally, I want to thank Kathy Wright, who is retiring as Executive Director of the Ohio College Association, for her many years of service to ALAO.   OCA serves as the fiscal agent for ALAO, but Kathy’s service to our association has gone far beyond managing our funds.  She attends our board meetings and conferences, offering advice and guidance as well as perspective on how the association has developed over the years.  Those of us who have served with her on the board think of her as the memory of ALAO.  I hope all of you will join me in wishing Kathy a long, fulfilling, and happy retirement.  Kathy, ALAO will miss you.

 

 

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President-Elect's Report

Rob Withers, Miami University

Do you have an idea about a successful program, service, procedure or resource that you’d like to share with your colleagues throughout the state?

The 35th annual conference of the Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) will take place at the Roberts Convention Centre near Wilmington, Ohio on Friday, October 30, 2009.

This year’s theme is:  “At the Crossroads: Recharging, Redefining, and Realigning our Libraries.” For a description of the conference theme, examples of possible topics for presentations and poster sessions, and the submission form for proposals please visit  http://www.lib.muohio.edu/alaoprop09/. Proposals for presentations and poster sessions are welcome.

Proposals are due by April 3, 2009.

 

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Past President’s Report

Douglas Morrison

I would like to take this opportunity to give all the members of ALAO an update to the current preparations for the 2009-2010 ALAO Elections.  We have reached the necessary number of candidates for the position of Board Member-at-Large for the upcoming elections.  Due to other circumstances beyond anyone’s control I have one (1) candidate position open for the ALAO Treasurer position on the executive board and I have one (1) position open for the role of Vice-President/ President-Elect for the upcoming elections.

I would like to have someone for each of the available board positions send me a filled out candidate information form and their acknowledgement to run for each of the available board positions by no later than this Friday.  I am including a file attachment of the ALAO Candidate Information Form to help facilitate this process.  If I can get a candidate for each position before the end of this week we hope to make the election ballot available electronically by no later than the end of the first week of April 2009.

This will be the final message asking for candidates for this years election.  The association and it’s membership deserve the best leadership candidates that we can find and that are willing to be engaged and active with the efforts and activities as we promote academic libraries and the issues important to the staff, faculty, and administration of those institutions within the state of Ohio.  We are only as good as those of us who serve and are willing to step forward for the betterment of the organization, it’s membership, and the activities it promotes to provide an avenue and a voice to the academic library community within the state of Ohio.  Be a part of this necessary and ongoing work.

ALAO works for all of us in the academic library field within Ohio, but it only works well when its members get involved and take an active role.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at sagemor@bright.net.

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Professional Development Committee

Christine Rigda, Chair (The University of Toledo), Ione Damasco (The University of Dayton), Brian Gray (Case Western Reserve University), Stephena Harmony (University of Cincinnati)
 
Continuing Education Grant Recipients
The Professional Development Committee would like to congratulate this year’s recipients of the Continuing Education Grant.
 

  • Alice Crosetto, Coordinator, Collection Development and Acquisitions Librarian (The University of Toledo). Alice will be using the grant to attend and present a session at the ACRL Conference in Seattle.
  • Yuezeng Shen, Head of Cataloging (Cleveland State University). Yuezeng will be using the grant to attend the Innovative Users Group conference in Anaheim California.


Each year the Committee awards this grant to one or more members pursuing a library degree or attending a conference or workshop. The Committee wishes both recipients continued success in their library careers and rewarding professional development experiences. 

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Diversity Committee

Kenneth Burhanna, Kent State

Diversity Committee Offers May 1st Workshop on Intercultural Communication
 
The ALAO Diversity Committee is currently accepting registrations for their Spring 2009 workshop Effective Intercultural Competency and Communication. The workshop will be held on May 1st at Kent State University’s Main Library in Kent, Ohio. Beth Tucker, coordinator of programming and engagement at Purdue University’s Office of International Students and Scholars will present and facilitate the workshop. A detailed description of the session follows:

Intercultural competence is based on the premise of respect for individuals and cultural differences. Intercultural skills enhance communication, services, delivery and professional development. This interactive workshop is designed to assist library faculty and staff in becoming more effective and confident in interacting across cultures. Participants will better understand the challenges faced by non-native speakers of English and what skills they may need to develop to communicate effectively.

The workshop will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Registration costs $35 and the deadline is April 17th. For questions or to register contact Diversity Committee chair Ken Burhanna at kburhann@kent.edu. The committee looks forward to seeing you in May.

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Technical, Electronic and Digital Services Interest Group (TEDSIG)

Rocki Strader, Ohio State University

“Electronic Serials: Getting Them and Keeping Them”
TEDSIG Spring Meeting
Friday, April 24, 2009
9:30 am – 4:00 pm
The Conference Center at OCLC, 6600 Kilgour Place, Dublin, OH

The Technical, Electronic and Digital Services Interest Group (TEDSIG) of the Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) will hold its annual Spring Workshop on April 24, 2009, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.  Our theme is “Electronic Serials: Getting Them and Keeping Them.”  The event will be held at OCLC in Dublin, Ohio.

Our featured speaker will be Regina Reynolds, Head, U.S. ISSN Center, National Serials Data Program, Library of Congress. She will be speaking on “Taming the E-Serials Beast.”

We will also convene a panel of Ohio academic librarians who deal with e-serials issues.  They will give short presentations on their experiences with “the beast.”  Our panel speakers will be:
 
Susan Banoun, Cataloging Unit, Head, in the Serials and Electronic Resource Dept, University of Cincinnati
Barbara Dunham, Electronic Resources Librarian, The Ohio State University
Deberah England, Electronic Resources Librarian, Wright State University
Yuezeng Shen, Head of Cataloging, Cleveland State University.

The workshop will close with a question-and-answer session with our panelists and Ms. Reynolds. The workshop is cosponsored by the NASIG Continuing Education Committee.

A buffet lunch will be provided.

For driving directions to OCLC see: http://www.oclc.org/conferencecenter/brochures/default.htm

To register and for any questions, contact Rocki Strader:

Email: strader.2@osu.edu

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Curriculum Materials Center Interest Group

Carolyn Sanders, Central State University and Ann Raney, University of Dayton

On Friday, May 15, 2009, Diane Schrecker will host the CMCIG Spring Workshop at Ashland University in Ronk Lecture Hall #138 – Dwight Schar College of Education.

Kevin Stinson from Delta Education will demonstrate the Full Option Science System or (FOSS) the hands-on discovery learning program which makes science something which is done. Representatives from Everyday Mathematics will present a sample lesson and include some of the games and manipulatives which are unique to the spiraling K-6 discovery learning program.

Lou Staffilino, the Associate Superintendent of the Ohio Department of Education, will present Governor Strickland’s Pre K-12 education plan. He will allow time for questions and answers. We are considering a presenter for a session entitled “Video Production for Teachers in Training,” A final session will address the OhioLINK/InfOhio 12-13 transition task force, New Children’s Titles, or LibLists. The final program will be outlined in our forth coming registration literature.

The CMCIG congratulates Gary Lare, professor emeritus and former head of the Curriculum Resources Center, University of Cincinnati, for receiving the 2009 Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Education and Behavioral Sciences Section (EBSS) Distinguished Education and Behavioral Sciences Librarian Award.  A prize of $1,500 and a plaque, donated by John Wiley and Sons, Inc., will be presented to Lare during the 2009 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Chicago at the EBSS Program at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 11.

Gary was one of the CMCIG team that drafted the Curriculum Materials Center Guidelines in 1992. He has presented at Spring Workshops and advocates for CMC’s at the state and national level. Gary’s talents also include public performances as a ventriloquist.



On December 22nd, University of Dayton IT personnel received a “Google alert” that inappropriate content had been submitted to the IG’s Praxis II Resources webpage hosted on one of UD’s servers.  They contacted Ann Raney.  Access to the site was temporarily blocked.  Ann deleted all questionable records and modified the site’s design.  Visitors now email their resource recommendations to Ann, and she enters the information into the database.  Website access resumed on December 30th.  If you experience any problem with the webpage, please contact Ann (Ann.Raney@notes.udayton.edu.)

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