Interest Group News

Posted on December 6, 2023 by anitaslack

Message from the Interest Group Coordinator

The ALAO interest groups have been very active and engaged this past semester. Many are thinking of new ways to connect with their membership. I don’t want to steal their thunder by highlighting all their contributions, but I do want to say how wonderful it is to work with such a great group of thoughtful and passionate librarians. 

For the second year in a row, the interest groups sponsored an informational table at the ALAO Annual Conference. This table has served to increase our visibility and market the groups to new and existing members. Conference presentations and posters were also tagged to IGs to help attendees find programs related to their interests and specialties. 

However, before and after the conference is where the IGs really shine. We have events in the spring and summer, as well as discussion groups throughout the year. 

If you are interested in becoming part of these events, I encourage you to check out the 12 special interest groups that have formed to discuss concerns, issues and new trends related to academic librarianship in Ohio. Joining an interest group is a great way to participate in leadership events and network with fellow librarians and library staff. 

For more information visit the ALAO website https://www.alaoweb.org/igs/index.html or contact Abi Morgan, Interest Group Coordinator at morgan55@miamioh.edu

–Abi Morgan, Interest Group Coordinator, Miami University

Community & Two Year College Libraries Interest Group (C2YCLIG) News

On October 3rd, the C2YCLIG hosted a webinar on collaborative efforts between public libraries and community college libraries. Our virtual session highlighted the work of two community college libraries and how they work in tandem with public libraries to expand available resources to their students.  We heard from Christine Sheetz of Lorain County Community College and Tammy Gordon of Cuyahoga Community College East Campus about their libraries’ partnerships with their local public libraries. Topics such as establishing satellite public library collections within the community college library, shared programming, and grant-funded hotspot lending were discussed.

–Meagan Fowler, C2YCLIG Co-Chair, Cuyahoga Community College
–Zoe Orcutt, C2YCLIG Co-Chair, Overdrive

Instruction Interest Group (IIG) News

The Instruction Interest Group recently had a Coffee Chat where members gathered for great conversations on instruction and how the year has been going so far. We look forward to hosting another Coffee Chat this spring, so keep an eye out for details on the next one! We hope you’ll join us!  

IIG is also beginning to plan for our spring/summer workshops and webinars for 2024 and we want to hear from you! We always welcome ideas for sessions from our members, so please reach out. We also encourage members to join the workshop planning committee. Please reach out to us if you have any questions! 

–Jaclyn Spraetz, Instruction IG Co-Chair, Miami University
–Brea McQueen, Instruction IG Co-Chair, Miami University

Special Collections and Archives Interest Group (SCAig) News

In accordance with its mission, the Special Collections and Archives Interest Group (SCAig) holds a workshop every spring centered around a special collections- or archives-related topic. We are very pleased and grateful that new member Christine Liebson, Archivist at Case Western Reserve University, has volunteered to join our spring 2024 workshop planning committee! We are looking for one more volunteer. Please reach out if you would like more information or are interested: scaig-chairs@alaoweb.org.

It is also time to consider potential themes for our spring 2024 workshop. We would like to know what topics SCAig members are interested in learning more about. Look out for a short survey on topic preferences, to be sent out to the SCAig and general ALAO listservs sometime in December. 

Please also feel free to reach out to the SCAig co-chairs directly with your suggestions at scaig-chairs@alaoweb.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

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

–Miriam Intrator, SCAig Co-Chair, Ohio University
-Candace Pine, SCAig Co-Chair, Miami University

Scholarly Communication Interest Group News

The ALAO Scholarly Communication Interest Group has not been active in over a year. In order to reinvigorate this group, we have put together a survey in Qualtrics to help determine what interests our members have and what needs this group can fill in terms of programming and other activities. This survey should take no longer than 5-15 minutes to complete, depending on how much text you add. You do not have to be an SCIG member to complete this survey.

Many thanks for your participation!

–Cindy Kristof, Scholarly Communication Interest Group Co-Chair, Kent State University
–Michael Hawkins, Scholarly Communication Interest Group Co-Chair, SCIG

Sustainability Interest Group News

At the recent ALAO conference, the Sustainability Interest Group held another successful swap table. Are you passionate about sustainability practices? The SUS-IG is looking for a co-chair. If you are interested, please contact Megan Jaskowiak at jaskowma@miamioh.edu. Together with the current co-chair they will plan sustainability-themed events for libraries and archives. 

–Megan Jaskowiak, SUS-IG Co-Chair, Miami University

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 4 (Dec 2023) | Tagged | Leave a comment

People & Library News

Posted on December 6, 2023 by anitaslack

Bryant and Stratton College News

Joseph Dudley (Bryant & Stratton College)  presented “Going All Digital: Transition Journey” at Internet Librarian Connect on October 17, and “Going All Virtual: Transforming Library Services from Campus-Based to All-Virtual in a Multi-Campus Environment” at the ALAO Virtual Forum & Mini-Conference on Friday, October 27. 

–Joseph Dudley, Bryant & Stratton College

Ohio Library Support Staff (OLSSI) Institute News

OLSSI: the Ohio Library Support Staff Institute will hold its annual conference at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio on July 28-30, 2024.

–Michael Bradshaw, Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library

University of Dayton News

Ione Damasco (University of Dayton) has been appointed interim Dean of University Libraries, beginning January 1, upon the retirement of Dean Kathleen Webb, who is wrapping up a 30-year career at the university. Ione currently serves as the Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence & Organizational Development, and is co-chairing the national search for a new Dean.

–Ione Damasco, University of Dayton

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 4 (Dec 2023) | Tagged | Leave a comment

President’s Report

Posted on September 15, 2023 by anitaslack

Annual Conference Update

Mark Eddy, President

Conference Date: November 2-3, 2023

Conference Location: Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center, Lewis Center, Ohio

Online ILS Forum & Mini-Conference: Friday, Oct 27, 2023 via Zoom

Register for the 49th Annual Conference!

On behalf of the 2023 Conference Planning Committee, I want to extend our sincere thanks again to all who submitted session proposals, and those who agreed to present at this year’s Conference!  You’ll note in the recently posted Program and session grids that between the virtual and in-person events, the Conference will feature 25 presentations, 3 lightning talk rounds (each with 5 presentations), 12 posters, 4 thematic discussions, and a full-day, in-person workshop.  Four of the presentations will be simulcast in our designated Hybrid Track meeting room at the in-person Conference venue, and each will feature Support, Access & Technical Services topics.

As I mentioned in the June ALAO Newsletter, the Planning Committee had a tremendous response from our Access Services, Technical Services, and Support Staff colleagues for this year’s call for session proposals.  Over 50% of the Conference sessions this year will be presented by professionals in these fields.  We look forward to welcoming Conference presenters and attendees from these and all areas of academic librarianship at ALAO 2023! 

Don’t wait to register!  We have some great event packages to choose from, priced to help make attendance affordable:

Thursday Nov 2nd In-Person Preconference Workshop  – *Please note that a separate registration is required for this event.

Full Conference Package Registration – Includes:

  • All Virtual ILS Forum (FREE) & Mini Conference programming on Oct 27th
  • All in-person and hybrid Conference programming on Nov 3rd
  • Entrance to the Thursday (Nov 2nd) Evening Social Event at the Olentangy River Brewing Company near the Nationwide Conference Center.

Online-only Conference Package Registration – Includes:

  • All Virtual ILS Forum (FREE) & Mini Conference programming on Oct 27th
  • All hybrid simulcast sessions from the in-person event on November 3rd
  • Hybrid simulcast of the 2023 Conference Keynote Address by Trevor Dawes

A Note on Attending the Oct 27th Virtual Morning ILS Migration Forum

Access to the Morning Forum on Friday, October 27th will be provided free of charge to all Ohio academic librarians, regardless of whether they register for the 2023 ALAO Annual Conference.  Sign-up information for the Morning Forum will soon be distributed.

 If you wish also to attend the afternoon Virtual Mini-Conference on Oct. 27th, you must register for one of the 2023 ALAO Conference packages listed above.  Access to the Morning Forum is included in both of the registration package options at no additional charge.

2023 Executive Board Retreat

Our annual Board Retreat this past July 21st was very productive, and ALAO is well positioned this coming year to successfully complete the fifth and final year of our 2019-2024 Strategic Plan.  ALAO’s Board, committees, task forces and interest groups have made tremendous progress in fulfilling the goals and objectives of this Plan.  Recent accomplishments include,

  • The creation of a DEIA-focused Committee, Toolkit, and program offerings
  • The expansion of ALAO grant and scholarship programs
  • The exploration of hybrid venues for ALAO programming and events

In 2023/24 the Board will explore additional ways to further actualize our Strategic Plan goals by,

  • Expanding ALAO membership
  • Streamlining new-member communications and onboarding
  • Partnering with regional library associations for event programming

Let me take this opportunity to thank all of our outgoing and incoming Board members most sincerely for their commitment and service to ALAO!  Their amazing work and leadership helps us all bring the Association’s mission into reality.  We look forward to the coming year when we will celebrate 50 years of ALAO and begin envisioning what our sixth decade might look like. 

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 3 (Sept 2023) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Call for Nominations: Jay Ladd Distinguished Service and Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Awards

Posted on September 15, 2023 by anitaslack

The ALAO Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award and the Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award.

Gerald Natal, Past President

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 here. 

Please submit nominations for the Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award through the Jay Ladd 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 here.

Please submit nominations for the Kathryn Venditti Mentoring Award through the Kathryn Venditti Online Nomination Form. 

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

Please submit your nominations by Friday, October 13, 2023.

Questions? Please contact Gerald, ALAO Past President and 2023 Awards Committee Chair at gerald.natal@utoledo.edu

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 3 (Sept 2023) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Vice President/President Elect Report

Posted on September 15, 2023 by anitaslack

Hello ALAO!

Sara Klink, Vice President/President Elect

Here we are at the start of another fall semester. I am excited to enter this fall season as the newly elected ALAO Vice President. As the Vice President, my number one job is to establish and chair the 2024 Conference Planning Committee. I am currently building that committee and planning meetings will begin in a few months. The 2024 CPC will have the exciting (and somewhat daunting) task of planning ALAO’s 50th conference!

In the meantime, I know there are many challenges our profession is facing and I hope everyone is finding the patience and maybe even the courage to continue doing the very important work that we all do. 

I look forward to seeing everyone in November at the ALAO Annual Conference!

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 3 (Sept 2023) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Committee and Interest Groups News

Posted on September 15, 2023 by anitaslack

Call for Mentees – 2023-2024

The Academic Library Association of Ohio’s Professional Development Committee (ALAO PDC) is excited to announce a call for participation in the ALAO Mentoring Program. 

Mentees can be library school students, newly-minted professionals, or more experienced librarians. The program will help you connect with someone who can provide professional support, career advice, and help you identify and set goals. ALAO membership is encouraged but not required for mentees.

Program Overview

The ALAO PDC reviews registration information and matches mentoring pairs. The annual program runs through October 2024.  

We invite prospective mentees to complete the application by October 6, 2023:

Matching Process 

  • Abbreviated mentor bios are available on the ALAO web page.  
  • Prospective mentees review the list of available mentors and identifies three mentors they would like to work with. 
  • Prospective mentees complete the online Mentee Application and rank the top three mentor choices.
  • ALAO PDC will then work to create a match. When a match is confirmed, both parties will be notified. 
  • Prior to the first mentoring meeting, ALAO PDC will provide guidelines and suggestions to help get the mentoring relationship off to a good start.
  • If you and your mentor plan to attend the 2023 ALAO Conference, there will be an opportunity to meet there. 
  • Typically, most mentoring relationships meet for at least four sessions spread out over a few months based on mentor/mentee availability and scheduling preferences.
  • At the end of the mentoring relationship, a program evaluation will go out to both parties. 

Questions? Please contact Melissa Hill: mkhill@owu.edu, Tracey Overbey: overbey.13@osu.edu, or Jaclyn Spraetz: spraetj@miamioh.edu.

Message from the Interest Group Coordinator

Greetings! I hope everyone’s semesters have been off to a good start. I am now in my second year as the IG Coordinator and I look forward to continuing working with ALAO’s interest groups this year. 

ALAO has 12 active special interest groups that have formed to discuss concerns, issues, and new trends related to academic librarianship in Ohio. Joining an interest group is a great way to participate in leadership events and network with fellow librarians and library staff. 

For more information visit the ALAO website or contact Abi Morgan, Interest Group Coordinator at morgan55@miamioh.edu

–Abi Morgan, Interest Group Coordinator, Miami University

Instruction Interest Group (IIG) News

The Instruction Interest Group (IIG) is pleased to welcome Brea McQueen, Student Success Librarian at Miami University as the new Co-Chair for the 2023-2025 term. She will serve with Jaclyn Spraetz, Information Literacy Librarian, also at Miami University, whose term will end in July 2024. 

We always welcome ideas for how this interest group can best serve our members! Please reach out if you have ideas you would like to see or lead. 

We also welcome new members to the group! If you have questions about IIG, webinar topic proposals, or you are interested in joining our workshop planning committee, please contact iig-chairs@alaoweb.org. 

–Brea McQueen, IIG Co-Chair, Miami University
–Jaclyn Spraetz, IIG Co-Chair, Miami University

Special Collections and Archives (SCAig) Interest Group News

The Special Collections and Archives Interest Group (SCAig) is pleased to welcome Candace Pine as incoming co-chair for the 2023-2025 term. She currently works as the Rare Books and Manuscripts Librarian at Miami University. Candace will serve as co-chair of SCAig alongside Miriam Intrator, Special Collections Librarian for Rare Books at Ohio University, whose term will conclude at the end of the 2023-24 academic year.

The SCAig co-chairs plan to virtually attend this year’s ALAO annual conference on Finding Balance (November 2-3). We hope SCAig members can join as well, either virtually or in person. We would also love to hear from any of you at any time regarding any ideas/suggestions you may have for future SCAig workshops and meetings!

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

–Miriam Intrator, SCAig Co-Chair, Ohio University
-Candace Pine, SCAig Co-Chair, Miami University

Support Staff Interest Group (SSIG) News

ALAO’s Support Staff Interest Group held its spring workshop “The Only Constant is Change: How Libraries and Support Staff are Responding to / Preparing for Changes,” on Friday, May 26, 2023. This ZOOM event was led by SSIG Co-Chair, Rob Withers, MA, MLS, Access Services Librarian, Miami University. Everyone enjoyed the lively conversation generated by the topic. 

You are always welcome to join our group. If you have questions about the SSIG, webinar topic proposals, or you are interested in joining our workshop planning committee, please contact ssig-chairs@alaoweb.org.

We are seeking two co-chairs, one for the current term (Summer 2022 – Summer 2024) and one for the following term (Summer 2023 – Summer 2025). If you’re interested in programming by or for support staff in Ohio libraries, please submit a brief statement of interest. We would love to hear from you! If you have questions about the Interest Group for Support Staff, I would love to talk with you. 

–Peggy Rector, SSIG Chair, Denison University

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 3 (Sept 2023) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Notes from the Trenches

Posted on September 15, 2023 by anitaslack

Ohio State’s Information Literacy Workshop Series

Since 2020, the Teaching & Learning Department in The Ohio State University Libraries has offered a range of virtual information literacy workshops open to instructors and librarians from both within and outside of Ohio State. The workshops have become a key component of the department’s instructor development program.

Building the Workshop Series

Early in the pandemic, I decided to organize a series of six virtual, synchronous workshops, with each workshop focused on one of the core information literacy concepts from the Framework for Information Literacy. Each workshop provided an overview of the concept, why it was important for students to develop an understanding of the concept, and examples of activities that instructors could use to teach the concept.

Initial participation was strong enough that I felt it worthwhile to offer the series again in the autumn of 2020, with only minor revisions. Again, participation was strong, and I decided to continue the series, but to branch out from the specific focus on the Framework concepts. I started to expand into other related topics, while still trying to keep things relevant and practical for participants. Recent workshops have covered topics such as Source Evaluation Myths and Identifying Unspoken Expectations in Research Assignments.

Some of my favorite workshops, and the ones that have been most popular, have been centered around issues of equity and social justice in relation to information literacy. For example, workshops on Information Literacy and Social Justice and on Inclusive Citation Practices have been well attended.

Collaboration and Promotion

The continued growth of the workshop series has only been possible with support from others both inside and outside of the University Libraries. I have also had the opportunity to co-present with a number of different partners. Within the University Libraries, I have presented with Amanda Folk (Head, Teaching & Learning), Hanna Primeau (Instructional Designer), Amanda Larson (Affordable Learning Instructional Consultant), Joshua Sadvari (Geospatial Information Librarian), Sarah Murphy (Data Literacy Librarian) and Michael Flierl (Student Learning Librarian). I also had the opportunity to partner with a representative from the Student Wellness Center to deliver a workshop on Digital Wellness & Information Literacy, and with a representative from the Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing for a workshop on Information Literacy Reading-Writing Connections, as well as to co-present with librarians from Miami University and Northern Kentucky University.

Workshops are promoted through multiple channels, including the daily campus newsletter, our campus center for teaching and learning, and our library intranet, along with direct emails to past participants.

Fall 2023

New workshops are being offered this fall, including:

  • Faculty Development: An Overview for Librarians, Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 12:00-1:00. To register: Faculty Development
  • The Language of Research: Clarifying Academic Jargon for Students, Thursday, September 28, 2023, 12:00-1:00. To register: Clarifying Academic Jargon

For more information on the workshop series, contact Jane Hammons (hammons.73@osu.edu).

–Jane Hammons, ACRL Liaison, The Ohio State University

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 3 (Sept 2023) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Member Spotlight

Posted on September 15, 2023 by anitaslack

Let’s shine the Member Spotlight on Jason Ezell from Miami University!

What is/are your role(s) in academic libraries?

I am a leader of learning and engagement programs in academic library settings. Specifically, I have just begun my role as Miami University’s new Head of Learning & Engagement. As I see it, in the pairing of engagement and learning, academic librarians work creatively and strategically to forge pathways between scholarly practice and personal, social, civic, and professional experience while also sparking connections across disciplinary silos. We do this work through our library instruction, consultations, programming, and outreach. It’s incredible and meaningful work!


What do you like most about academic library work?

Two main things. First, I enjoy facilitating communities of practice around library instruction, information literacy, liaison work, and our scholarship. I especially like seeing those moments of inspiration discovered in the process of librarians sharing, and reflecting on, what they do. Second, I also enjoy leveraging assessment to tell the stories of diverse learners whose paths have been informed by their collaborations with academic librarians.

I have been lucky to personally experience the value of libraries, so I like doing what I can to amplify the life-changing impacts of our profession.


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

I am excited to join the exciting work going on here at Miami U. For example, we are working with other academic support leaders and EAB Navigate to articulate the role of library engagement in wider student success initiatives. We are also refreshing our peer observation program for library instruction to be a pillar in our community of practice.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

Arthouse movie theaters are a home away from home for me. If I have a free afternoon, it’s a good bet that I’ll be sneaking in a matinee at a place like The Esquire Theatre.

Why did you join ALAO?

I could easily see the great work of my colleagues in the programming evident on the ALAO website. I am eager to join and discover new collaborators!

–Laura Birkenhauer, Membership Chair, Miami University

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 3 (Sept 2023) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Membership Report

Posted on September 15, 2023 by anitaslack

The current membership of ALAO includes a total of 291 members consisting of 253 regular members, 6 retiree members, and 32 student members. We are excited to welcome new members who joined between May 31, 2023 and August 29, 2023.

Beronica Avila, Denison University Library

Sophie Barbour, Kent State University

Michelle Bradley, OhioNet

Janelle Burd, Cedarville University

Alexis Chandler, Cedarville University

Sheila Craft-Morgan, Ohio State University

Rachel Crane, Cedarville University

Alan Dupureur

Jason Ezell, Miami University, Ohio

Julie Flanders, Mount St. Joseph University

Patricia Frank, Ashland University

Marcela Gonzalez, OhioNet

Justin Kemp, Cedarville University

Crissy Ross, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College

Kenneth Saub

Michael P. Skor, Cleveland State University

Jordan Tardif, Ohio Northern University

Deb Thompson, University of Rio Grande

Anbarasan V, Netzealous

Jason Wardell, University of Dayton

Kiran Williams, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Rhonda Wiseman, University of Cincinnati Law Library

Nathan Wolfe, University of Rio Grande

–Laura Birkenhauer, Membership Chair, Miami University

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 3 (Sept 2023) | Tagged | Leave a comment

ACRL Liaison Report

Posted on September 15, 2023 by anitaslack

ACRL Chapters Council Report

The ACRL Chapters Council serves as a conduit for information and communication between ACRL national and its chapters. During 2022-2023, the Chapters Council met virtually on January 23 and June 15. As part of these meetings, the council hosted two guest speakers, Dr. Linda Miles of Hostos Community College – CUNY, who presented “One Chapter’s Strategic Planning Process: ACRL/NY’s Committee for a New Vision” and Kathryn (Katie) Kehoe of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, who presented “An Introduction to Digital Inclusion for Libraries.” The committee also published two issues of Chapters Topics. The spring 2023 edition featured an article written by ALAO president Gerald Natal, describing the chapter’s decision making process around the future of the conference: Hybrid Conference?: The Ohio Chapter’s Decision.

ALAO Plan for Excellence Submitted to ACRL

The ALAO Plan for Excellence annual report was submitted to the ACRL in June. Written primarily by ALAO President Gerald Natal, with contributions from ACRL Liaison Jane Hammons, the report highlighted the Annual Conference, workshops and webinars hosted by ALAO interest groups, as well as ALAO’s effort to expand access to the conference by providing additional grants to participants.

–Jane Hammons, ACRL Liaison, The Ohio State University

Posted in Vol. 41 no. 3 (Sept 2023) | Tagged | Leave a comment