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Pre-conference Workshop
Register here for the Pre-Conference Workshop.
Launchpad to Systematic Reviews: Evidence Synthesis Crash Course for Your Library
Program Description:
Join us for Launchpad to Systematic Reviews: Evidence Synthesis Crash Course for Your Library, a hands-on workshop designed to equip academic librarians with the foundational knowledge and practical skills to support and lead evidence synthesis projects at your libraries, at your pace. From understanding review types and timelines to mastering protocols, platforms, and assessing your libraries’ capacity, this session walks you through the full evidence synthesis project lifecycle—including the librarian’s growing role as co-author, project manager, and advocate.
You'll explore real-world tools, learn how to document search strategies, the impact of generative AI platforms, and practice search development using real project examples. Whether you're new to evidence synthesis or looking to refine your services, this session offers actionable insights to help your library become a launchpad for impactful, collaborative evidence synthesis research.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify and differentiate between types of evidence synthesis reviews (e.g., systematic, scoping, rapid) and assess appropriate timelines and librarian roles within each.
- Apply foundational tools and strategies for supporting evidence synthesis projects, including protocol development, database selection, search string construction, and search documentation.
- Evaluate your library’s capacity to support evidence synthesis by exploring service models, co-authorship opportunities, and the librarian’s role as project manager and research advocate using a toolkit co-designed by the presenter.
- Critically assess the use of generative AI and other emerging technologies in evidence synthesis workflows, identifying both opportunities and limitations for ethical and effective implementation.
SCHEDULE
Registration and Coffee: 9 AM - 10 AM
Morning Session: 10 AM - NOON
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Introduction to evidence synthesis
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Foundational skills and platforms
Lunch: NOON - 1PM
Afternoon Session: 1:15 - 4pm
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Applying Evidence Synthesis skills
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AI implications
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Assessing evidence synthesis options and your library
DetailsDATE: Thursday, November 6, 2025 REGISTRATION: 9:00 a.m. WORKSHOP: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. LOCATION: OCLC Conference Center/Smith Building General Session Room 6600 Kilgour Place, Dublin, OH | RegistrationRegistration for the pre-conference is capped at 70 participants. Pricing:
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Workshop Facilitators
| Hanna Schmillen, MLIS, AHIP (She/Her)Hanna Schmillen is the Assistant Dean for Research and Education Services at Ohio University Libraries, where she leads strategic initiatives to advance research, learning, and scholarly engagement. With over a decade of experience in academic librarianship, she has held multiple leadership roles. Hanna specializes in research data management, evidence synthesis, and information literacy pedagogy. She has taught systematic review workshops internationally and co-created a librarian-focused evidence synthesis toolkit. Her scholarship includes peer-reviewed publications, national presentations, and co-authorship on several systematic and scoping reviews. She is a dedicated mentor and advocate for inclusive, data-informed library services, and has played a key role in cross-campus collaborations supporting R1-level research. Hanna holds an MLIS from the University of Denver and a BS in Biological Sciences from Illinois State University. A credentialed member of the Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP), she remains actively engaged in national and regional library organizations. |
| Pre-Conference, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 General Sessions Room 6600 Kilgour Place, Dublin, OH |
Thursday In-Person Pre-Conference Workshop
| In-Person/Online Conference RegistrationPresenters will be emailed a direct link for registration. Early Bird Registration Rates (ends September 19, 2025)
In-Person Regular Rates
Online Only Conference
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About ALAO
The Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) is a chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). ALAO exists to develop, promote, and improve library and information services in Ohio’s higher education community, to advance the interests of academic librarianship and the personnel of academic libraries, and to provide leadership and advocacy for the educational and policy concerns of the academic library community in Ohio.
Sustainability
- We encourage attendees to carpool to and from the conference to reduce pollution.
- We encourage attendees to bring their own refillable water bottles and coffee mugs to the conference to reduce waste.
- The committee will be very intentional about what we choose to print. As such, stay tuned for details about electronic conference programs, evaluations and more.
Community Agreements
The conference planners seek to create a space for respectful dialogue and debate about critical issues. Upon registration, attendees will be asked to review and accept a list of community agreements. Conference planners will actively strive to create spaces in which multiple perspectives can be heard and no one voice dominates.
Who We Are
Members of the 2025 conference planning committee are:
- Paul Campbell, Chair (ALAO President Elect)
- Mira Scarnecchia
- Rob O'Brien Withers
- Abigail (Abi) Morgan
- Kristine Kinzer
- Cara Calabrese
- Emily Henderson
- Diane Schrecker
- Kristen Peters
- Gerald (Jerry) Natal
- Katie Maxfield
- Don Appleby
- Leticia Wiggins
If you have any questions at all about this event, contact us at program@alaoweb.org.
