The award presentations at the ALAO annual conference have always been a favorite part of the programming for me. It is an opportunity for outstanding individuals to be publicly recognized and for ALAO to demonstrate support for the membership. Here is a rundown of the awards presented:

• The Diversity Scholarship went to Kent State MLIS student Tracie Pickett. This award goes to a student who demonstrates diversity in one or more ways and displays potential in the field of library and/or information science through leadership and commitment to diversity issues.
• The Research and Publications Committee Research Grant went to Mandy Shannon (University of Dayton) and Matt Shreffler (Wright State University) to support their research project “Online Research Toolkit Series” which will evaluate the effectiveness of online Research Toolkit (RT) workshops in improving student success indicators compared to face-to-face workshops.
• The TEDSIG TEDdy Award for distinguished service by an ALAO member in the fields of Technical, Electronic and Digital Services went to Rich Wisneski (Miami University).
• The Support Staff Conference Grant went to Elizabeth Staarmann (Miami University) and Daisy Caruso (The University of Toledo). This award is for supporting staff development and participation in ALAO activities and covers registration and travel expenses to attend and/or present at the ALAO Annual Conference.
• The Student Presenter Grant went to Lily Wiest (Wayne State) and Lauren Chatman-Wright (Ohio State). This award provides opportunities for students and new graduates to encourage participation and professional growth towards a career in academic libraries. It covers registration and travel expenses to attend and/or present at the ALAO Annual Conference.
• The Continuing Education Grant went to Anita Slack (Kent State), with an Honorable Mention to Meshia Anderson (University of Cincinnati). This award is meant to defray costs of participating in conferences, workshops, seminars, and similar library-related educational opportunities, pursuit of a professional library degree, or growth of DEI knowledge and leadership.
• The TEDSIG/NOTSL Technical Services Conference Grants were newly developed to encourage technical services staff development and participation in ALAO activities through two awards–one for conference attendance, and another for presenting. Recipients were Rebecca Belford, Oberlin College (Presenter Award) and Alyx Lande, Capital University (Attendee Award).

As it so happened last year, this year’s People’s Choice Poster Award was a tie. Mira Scarnecchia, Sherlann Lewandowski, and Ana Rita Borges Tobe from Columbus State Community College Library were selected for their poster “Reeling in Students: Using Instagram Reels to Increase Student Engagement with Library Services,” and Jaclyn Spraetz from Miami University was selected for “Meeting Students Where They Are: Developing an Information Literacy Class Based on Student Interests.”

The Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award was established in 2016 to honor individuals who demonstrate excellence as a mentor and named in memory of its first recipient.

This year’s award went to Ione Damasco, Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Organizational Development at the University of Dayton. Ione was recognized for their efforts and leadership in mentoring students and librarians participating in the OhioLINK Luminaries program for the past several years. The Luminaries program provides project-based learning opportunities and mentoring for students historically excluded from or underrepresented in librarianship.

Ione was nominated for providing an annual series of mentor training webinars and real-time discussions for 10-12 Luminaries librarian mentors each year, for informal mentoring, and for advocating for librarians’ professional development in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ione is described as “Always open and gracious,” “willing to share their knowledge with others so readily – a true hallmark of a mentor,” and appreciative “that others’ experiences may not be [theirs] and always has positive and helpful approaches when asked for consultation. These wonderful and relatively rare skills make for a highly effective mentor.”

The Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award is named for a former Ohio State University librarian who was instrumental in the formation of ALAO. It honors individuals with a strong record of promoting academic libraries, librarianship, and strong leadership.

This year’s recipient was Eboni Johnson, Outreach and Programming Librarian at Oberlin College and Conservatory. Eboni is recognized for bringing a community-wide NEA Big Read grant to Oberlin and for service to the OhioLINK E-Book Collection selection committee, Library Leadership Ohio 2021 advisory committee, and the ALAO Diversity and Research and Publication committees. As President of ALAO, she organized a successful ALAO conference with renowned speakers Char Booth and Courtney Young. Eboni served as editor of the book “Librarian as Mentor: Grow, Discover, and Inspire,” co-founded the ALAO Programming, Outreach and Marketing Interest Group, and helped to establish the Venditti mentoring award. Eboni’s influence extends beyond librarianship into political action—since 2021, she has served as an Oberlin City Council member focusing on sustainability, affordable housing, and transportation safety and previously served as the chair of Oberlin’s Human Relations Commission. As one nominator remarked, “Eboni is a force.  If something needs to be done, it gets done.  If there is a problem, she solves it.  If there is an obstacle, she will surmount it.”

Please join me in offering a hearty congratulations to all who received a grant, scholarship, or special recognition! Find out more about the awards and award opportunities at https://www.alaoweb.org/awards. For award details visit the ALAO Conference 2023 Awards page.

ALAO Elections — CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

It’s that time again! New to librarianship and looking to make connections? Considering leadership opportunities? Need professional service? Want to give back to ALAO? If so, please consider nominating yourself for the ALAO Board — or encourage a colleague to consider nomination! Elections will take place in spring 2024, and successful candidates will take office at the ALAO Board Retreat this summer.  Come join a fantastic group of Ohio library workers!

*A diverse board membership benefits the organization—all are encouraged to apply*

What does the ALAO Board do?

As the Ohio chapter of ACRL, we:

• Advance academic library services in our state and provide opportunities for education and growth for library personnel at all levels and at every career stage
• Sponsor an annual conference and spring workshops that focus on innovative topics and showcase Ohio academic librarians
• Provide scholarships and awards
• Maintain several active, diverse interest groups and committees.
• Have a mentoring program that pairs up Ohio academic librarians for peer-to-peer, inter-generational, leadership, or student mentoring relationships

What is my role as a Board member?

• Perform the duties described for your elected position – see the Procedures Manual for the specific duties and responsibilities of each position
• Attend the annual retreat in July of each year
• Attend scheduled Board meetings (announced at Board Retreat–these have been virtual through Zoom)

This year, we will be electing the following officers:

• Vice President/President Elect
• Board Member-at-Large (3 positions)
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Membership Chair

Remember that you must be an ALAO member to run for office, so this is a perfect time to join or renew.

Submit the online nomination form by Friday, February 16, 2024, to be considered as a candidate!

If you have questions, please contact pastpresident@alaoweb.org or membership@alaoweb.org.

There are plenty of additional opportunities! We are also looking for volunteers for the following appointed positions to start in July 2024):

• Advocacy Chair
• Chapter Archivist
• Communications Chair
• Communications Editor
• Diversity Chair
• Interest Group Coordinator
• Liaison To ACRL
• Procedures Manual Coordinator
• Research and Publications Chair
• Support Staff Interest Group (SSIG) Co-chairs
• Web Manager

Complete the volunteer form to indicate your interest in the above leadership positions and committee or Interest Group (IG) participation. The Board consults the data collected from this form during the spring and summer when elections and committee and IG appointments take place.

Thank you from the Nomination Committee!

• Gerald Natal, ALAO Immediate Past President and Nominating Committee Chair
• Laura Birkenhauer, Miami University
• Mark Eddy, Case Western Reserve University
  
  We are looking for two more members to round out the committee! If you are interested contact pastpresident@alaoweb.org.