Are you thinking about writing a proposal or getting funding to attend the 50th ALAO Annual conference? ALAO offers grants for Students and Support Staff. Deadline will be announced soon. If you have any questions about the Conference Grants, please contact a member of the Professional Development Committee.
–Cara Calabrese, Board Member at Large, Miami University
Joseph Dudley’s article, “How We Took Our Library All Digital,” appeared in the January/February 2024 issue of Computers in Libraries. The online version of the article is available here.
–Joseph Dudley, Bryant & Stratton College
University Libraries (UL) at Kent State University is excited to welcome Paul C. Campbell as Social Science and Assessment Librarian and Assistant Professor. Paul joins KSU UL’s Tenure Track Faculty after eight years of service to Ohio University and with twelve total years of librarianship.
–Anita J. Slack, Communications Editor, Kent State University
Registration is now open for “Libraries: Where Ideas Take Flight,” the 2024 MiALA Annual Conference at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan on May 15-17, 2024. For more information and to register see the conference website.
–Kate Langan, Western Michigan University
The Meaningful Inquiry team from Ohio State recently published a peer-reviewed paper, “Instructors’ Perceptions of an Information Literacy-Centered Professional Development Workshop.” In the paper, authors Amanda Folk, Hanna Primeau, and Jane Hammons (from The Ohio State University Libraries) and Katie Blocksidge (from The Ohio State Newark Library), explore data collected through pre- and post-workshop surveys to identify participants’ motivation(s) for participating in the Meaningful Inquiry workshop, as well as the participants’ key takeaways and intentions to change their teaching practice. The paper was published in the recently released proceedings of the 8th European Conference on Information Literacy held in Krakow, Poland in October 2023. The paper can be read here: Instructors’ Perceptions.
–Jane Hammons, ACRL Liaison, The Ohio State University
Matthew Shaw, dean of University Libraries at Ball State since 2016, will serve in the same position at the University of Dayton starting July 1. Read the announcement.
–Katy Kelly, University of Dayton
Happy Winter and Holidays!
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and all the best in the new year!
ALAO 2023 Conference Recap
The 49th Annual ALAO Conference, Finding Balance: Hybrid Spaces, New Opportunities & Transformed Missions, was held this past October 27th and November 2nd-3rd, and marked the Association’s initial exploration of Conference hybridity. Programming this year included online, in-person, and hybrid events that successfully expanded attendance and participation among the membership. On October 27th, the Conference hosted a full day of online programming followed by in-person and hybrid events on November 2nd & 3rd at the Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center in Columbus. By the numbers, here’s a snapshot of Conference attendance:
The Conference was well received, and many expressed their appreciation for both traditional and new program offerings:
“What a superbly run conference! Wonderful content. Great facility. Helpful volunteers. Thank you!”
“This presentation was incredibly helpful. I have some concrete ideas for starting our migration efforts. Very much appreciate everyone sharing their expertise.” (ILS Migration Discussion Forum)
“A wonderful, engaging and thought provoking presentation! Really liked the hands-on activities and the fun items in the center of the tables.” (Thursday Preconference)
“It was a cozy, enjoyable event. I got to talk to some old friends I haven’t seen in person in a while.” (Thursday Evening Social)
“the moderators should be commended for including questions from the virtual chat.” (Hybrid Room sessions)
“Often, but not always, virtually conferences work out best for me. I was very pleased with the chance to present virtually” (online session presenter)
There was a huge turnout for the free online ILS Migration Forum Discussion on October 27th, with lively discussion among panelists and the audience about ways to prepare our libraries for the upcoming migration process. Attendees at this and other virtual events, including the online Mini-conference and Hybrid Room sessions, expressed their appreciation for expanded programming options. There was robust attendance as well for our in-person programming. For the Thursday Preconference, Diversity in Focus: New Lenses, New Frames, New Approach, co-presenters Shannon Simpson and Pamela Espinosa de los Monteros created tremendous energy and excitement for workshop participants who came away with concrete, practical strategies to bring back to their home libraries. We were so pleased as well to host Trevor A. Dawes for a truly inspiring Keynote Address that complimented the 2023 Conference themes and programming especially well. I can also relay that Trevor had a delightful time at the Thursday Evening Social event! Our area at Olentangy Brewing was packed, with folks circulating throughout the evening, and crowded tables full of laughter and merriment.
I’m also very pleased to report that, thanks to your participation and that of our presenters, hosts, volunteers, and Planning Committee members, we met and exceeded our goals for expanding ALAO community engagement at the Conference. Together with all of you, we were able to manage and reduce Conference attendance costs by expanding registration discounts, packages, and grant opportunities. We successfully piloted new online and hybrid Conference program elements while also managing technology costs. We also successfully expanded program offerings and attendance for our Access, Support & Technical Services colleagues.
Stay tuned for postings on the ALAO website of Conference session slides and handouts, as well as a recording and summary of the October 27th ILS Migration Forum Discussion!
Congratulations, Grant & Award Winners!
One of our favorite activities at the ALAO Conference is highlighting the remarkable work and achievements of Ohio academic library colleagues! This year’s ceremony at the Conference luncheon was filled with many heartwarming moments as awardees were announced and celebrated by the ALAO community. Check out our Past President, Gerald Natal’s, newsletter entry below for details about this year’s awardees!
ALAO Executive Board Meetings Report
The Board held meetings this past November 3rd and October 20th and continued to make progress with strategic initiatives identified at the Board’s July 2023 retreat. The 2024 Conference Site Selection Committee has secured a commitment from the OCLC Conference Center in Columbus, OH to host the 50th Anniversary ALAO Annual Conference on November 7th & 8th, 2024. Earlier this Fall the Board also approved one-time funding to explore interest in additional ALAO Conference participation and attendance grant opportunities. These included two grants offered in partnership with the Northern Ohio Technical Services Librarians (NOTSL) for the 2023 ALAO Conference. Board members also continue to plan strategies that in the coming months will help strengthen ALAO member and nonmember engagement in programming, interest group activities, and professional development opportunities, among students and library professionals.
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:
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:
What is my role as a Board member?
This year, we will be electing the following officers:
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):
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!
Hello ALAO!
For my colleagues that were in attendance at the 2023 Annual Conference, it was wonderful seeing you! This year’s conference was such a nice blend of in-person and online offerings. We hope that you were able to participate in some portion of it–whether that was attending the free ILS discussion, actively learning in the diversity workshop, or attending the conference in person or online! We are hoping to repeat this success with ALAO 2024.
The 2024 Conference Planning Committee will begin meeting this month. We will be discussing the 50th annual conference theme. Look for more information and ways you can get involved to be shared after the new year. Happy Holidays Everyone!
Call for applicants! For the 2024 ALAO Diversity Scholarship
Academic Library of Ohio Association MLS/MLIS Diversity Scholarship opportunity.
ALAO would like to help develop talented folks who are underrepresented in our profession with a $1500 tuition scholarship. Apply from Jan 1st to March 31st, 2024 for consideration. The award winner will be notified by April 12, 2024, and will be presented with a certificate at the ALAO Annual Conference Oct. 2024 (registration included with scholarship award). Full consideration details are available at https://www.alaoweb.org/Diversity-Scholarship-Award
—Cara Calabrese, Professional Development Committee Co-Chair, Miami University
Do you have a great research idea but need funds to bring it to life? Or do you need additional funding to complete your existing research? Last year, the ALAO Research Grant helped fund the investigation of Mandy Shannon (University of Dayton) and Matt Shreffler (Wright State University) into the effectiveness of online Research Toolkit (RT) workshops in improving student success indicators compared to face-to-face workshops.
You could be the next ALAO Research Grant recipient! Learn more about the application process by visiting our webpage and looking at the ALAO Research Grant information sheet. Remember to submit your application by January 26, 2024 at bit.ly/alao_grant24. You must be a current member of ALAO to be eligible for the award.
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Nagle or Marilia Antunez. We look forward to reading your applications!
–Sarah Nagle, Research & Publications Committee Co-Chair, Miami University
–Marilia Antunez, Research & Publications Committee Co-Chair, University of Akron
Are you presenting a conference paper, attending a workshop, or looking to participate in other professional development opportunities in 2024? The Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) Continuing Education Grant can help you get there!
The Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) Continuing Education Grant of up to $2,500 is awarded each year to support the cost of participating in professional development opportunities such as conferences, workshops, seminars, etc. which are related to the member’s current position, in pursuit of a professional library degree, or growth of DEI knowledge and leadership. Current ALAO members are eligible to apply for funds to defray the costs of attending any library-related educational opportunity occurring during the calendar year.
Eligibility:
Application Deadline: Friday, February 2, 2024 11:59 p.m.
For more information and to apply online go the ALAO website: https://www.alaoweb.org/continuingeducationgrant
If you have any questions about the Continuing Education Grant, please contact Cara Calabrese, Professional Development Committee Co-Chair, at calabrcm@miamioh.edu.
–Cara Calabrese, Professional Development Committee Co-Chair, Miami University
Let’s shine the Member Spotlight on Eboni Johnson from Oberlin College and Conservatory!
What is/are your role(s) in academic libraries?
I was the Outreach & Programming Librarian at Oberlin College Libraries (OCL). In that role, my role was two-fold: about half of my job was to support programming and events, which were either sponsored by Oberlin College Libraries or held in library spaces. The other half was supporting research and teaching. That included classroom instruction and one-on-one research consultations with students and faculty and serving as the librarian for six academic departments in the humanities and social sciences.
About two weeks ago, though, I started in my new role as STEM Librarian and Head of the Science Library at Oberlin College! So, in addition to being the head of one of Oberlin’s world-class libraries and all that that entails, I now support ten academic departments/programs in the natural sciences (astronomy, biology, chemistry, environmental studies, geosciences, mathematics, medicine & health, neuroscience, physics, and history of science & technology). I used to be a science librarian many years ago (agricultural and environmental sciences), and I’m excited to get back into it.
What do you like most about academic library work?
One of my favorite parts of academic librarianship is the mental agility that’s needed to bounce between many different subject areas. I especially love demystifying the research process for students and empowering them to be savvy and confident information seekers, consumers, and producers.
What are some interesting projects you’ve been involved with lately?
I think a better question is what I *haven’t* been involved with! Much of my activity has been focused on DEI initiatives. I recently submitted a book chapter that discusses code-switching and code-meshing in the academy, which will be published in early 2024. I’m a member of OCL’s IDEA Committee (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility), which develops measurable actions by which inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility are embedded in the operations of the Oberlin College Libraries. In addition, I recently joined OhioNet’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ADEI) Library Cohort. We are tasked with providing the opportunity to assess and explore when libraries are at their best in supporting BIPOC librarians. Outside of library-related work, I was re-elected to Oberlin City Council and am excited to start my second term in January. When I’m not librarian-ing, I like to play with wool – turning fluff into yarn and then knitting it into sweaters or socks, or really anything. And when I’m not doing that, you’ll find me DJing a radio show, pretending I’m on a cooking show while dancing in the kitchen, listening to audiobooks, or bingeing something on TV (right now, I’m knee-deep in The Gilded Age). Sometimes, I sleep!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I am a champion speller! In 1989, I qualified to participate in the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. The word that I missed was “ogival,” which is a word that refers to or describes a pointed arch whose two curving sides meet at a relatively sharp angle at the top of the arch. Think of the arched doorways that you see in Gothic-style architecture.
What do you love about being an ALAO member?
In my 10+ years as an ALAO member, I’ve found the organization to be very supportive of its members, no matter what career stage we are in. As a newbie, I was welcomed, mentored, encouraged to get involved, and supported every step of the way. I couldn’t ask for a better professional organization to be a part of. I feel like membership in ALAO has really helped me to grow and thrive as a librarian. At this year’s conference, I was elated to see and meet so many new members, and I hope they get as much out of ALAO as I have. I’m so incredibly proud to have received the Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award this year. It is truly a career highlight for me, and I thank my peers in ALAO for the honor!
–Laura Birkenhauer, Membership Chair, Miami University
The current membership of ALAO includes a total of 301 members consisting of 259 regular members, 6 retiree members, and 36 student members. We are excited to welcome new members who joined between August 30, 2023 and November 29, 2023.
Rachael Acheson, Bowling Green State University
Ana Rita Borges Tobe
John Canter, Ohio University
Emilie Cornelius, Central Ohio Technical College
Laura D’Aveta, Baldwin Wallace University
Andrea Davis, University of Rio Grande
Robert Ferro
Stephanie Finley, Case Western Reserve Law Library
Katherine Gable, Kent State University
Emma Goetting, Notre Dame Academy
Elizabeth Grauel, University of Dayton
Natalie Gutierrez-Negron, Oberlin College & Conservatory
David Haiduc, Cuyahoga Community College
Julie Harris, Malone University
Michele Jennings, University of Dayton
Liz Lang, Ohio Wesleyan University
Vanessa Langhurst, CSCC
Maria Lee
Sherlann Lewandowski, Columbus State Community College
Samuel Lynch, University of Dayton
Lindsey Mason, Ohio Dominican University
Sam Miller, Columbus State Library
Tasha Miller, Kent State University
Sophia Morabito
Mary Kate O’Leary
Candace Pine, Miami University
Kalon Ridley
Theda Schwing, OhioLINK
Ryan Spellman, Ohio University Libraries
Erik Ziedses des Plantes, University of Dayton
–Laura Birkenhauer, Membership Chair, Miami University
ALAO Newsletter 