ABOUT THE ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT COMMITTEE

About the Committee

Purpose

The Advocacy and Support Committee serves ALAO members by sharing resources, developing educational opportunities, and supporting engagement with issues affecting academic libraries and higher education. The committee also supports ALAO’s best efforts to foster equitable, collegial professional environments and to advocate for diverse human experiences across race, ethnicity, national origins, religion, gender, LGBTQIA identities, ability and age.

Goals

Advocacy and Support Committee works to:

• Provide resources and communication on issues relevant to ALAO members

• Support educational opportunities related to current issues in academic libraries 

• Advise ALAO on matters related to advocacy, support, and professional climate 

• Strengthen awareness of current issues affecting academic libraries and library workers

• Encourage thoughtful engagement with diversity related concerns in library policy and practice  

• The committee is responsible for administering the LIS scholarship in support for the committee’s goals 

Membership

The Advocacy and Support Committee is led by two co chairs and supported by volunteer committee members. 

The Advocacy Co-Chair is appointed by the ALAO Executive Board and serves a two year term. The Supporting co chair is filled through volunteer interest and also serves a two year term on a staggered basis. Together, the co-chairs help ensure consistent communication, shared planning, and collaborative leadership across the committee's work. 

Committee members are recruited on a voluntary basis and contribute to communication, programming, professional development, and advocacy related efforts. 

Advocacy Co-Chair: Beronica Avila (2024-2027)

Supporting Co-Chair: TBD

Specific Activities

The committee's work may include: 

• Sharing information and resources with ALAO members 

• Developing programming and professional learning opportunities 

• Supporting awareness of issues affecting academic libraries and higher education, particularly within Ohio 

• Encouraging equitable and collegial professional environments  

• Promoting conversation and learning around nondiscrimination, bias awareness, and workplace climate 

• Sharing recruitment and retention strategies related to diversity in Ohio academic libraries

• Recognizing the importance of diversity in the profession and in future library professionals, and for that reason the committee administers a yearly scholarship to promote promising MLIS students in Ohio

Get Involved 

The Committee welcomes members interested in communication, programming, professional development, and advocacy. Those who want to help ALAO respond thoughtfully to issues affecting academic libraries and higher education in Ohio are encouraged to get involved.  

To express interest or ask questions, contact advocacy@alaoweb.org.