About the Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO)

Contents

• History & List of Presidents of ALAO
• Discussion List / Listserv
• ALAO Bylaws
• ALAO Mission and Strategic Plan with Goals and Objectives for 2010-2014
• ALAO and ACRL
• Executive Board
• Committees
• Interest Groups
• Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award
• About ALAO Annual Conferences
• ALAO Research Grant
• ALAO Logos

History of the Academic Library Association of Ohio

ALAO had its beginnings in 1947, with the establishment of the College Librarians Section of the Ohio College Association (OCA), in response to desires of members of the College and University Division of the Ohio Library Association (OLA) for a professional organization that was more focused on the needs of academic libraries.

The association with OCA was very beneficial for academic libraries, but the need for an active statewide organization devoted to academic library concerns was persistent. ALAO adopted its first constitution in 1974, voting to remain a section of the Ohio College Association, yet continue to cooperate with OLA. ALAO held its first Annual conference, "The Traumatic World of Serials," as a pre-conference to the 1974 OLA Conference. ALAO later sought and gained affiliation with the Association of College and Research Libraries, becoming the Ohio chapter of ACRL in 1981.  ALAO retained its dual affiliation as a Section of OCA until the reorganization of OCA in 2009.

The ALAO member roster numbers more than 900 individuals, representing over 100 libraries, organizations, and businesses. We provide support, encouragement, and continuing education opportunities for academic library staff from all over Ohio through our workshops, annual conference and other programs. Interest Groups are a vital part of the association, offering small group discussions and highly focused workshops.

Various committees oversee the awarding of scholarships, research grants, Interest Group awards and the Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award, while other groups work to improve ALAO communication efforts and continuing education opportunities. It is a vital, growing organization, devoted to advancing library and information services in academic institutions of Ohio.

Presidents of ALAO

Discussion List / Listserv

• Subscribe to alao@lists.uakron.edu
  
• Information about the discussion list, including links to the list archive and unsubcribe option.