Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) upcoming events

Spring 2026 SCAig and TEDSIG: Discovering special collections and archives materials following OhioLINK’s LSP migration (24 Apr 2026)

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:30:00 GMT

How are ALAO members enabling users and reference/research staff to discover special collections, rare books, and archives materials following OhioLINK’s LSP migration? Join ALAO Interest Groups SCAig (Special Collections and Archives Interest Group) and TEDSIG (Technical, Electronic, and Digital Services Interest Group) for an informal "coffee chat" panel discussion. Three panelists will speak to different aspects of the prompt, and there will be ample time for Q&A and group discussion.

Crissandra George Digital Collections Librarian, Case Western Reserve University Migrating digitized collections to Alma’s Specto

Eve Kausch Outreach Librarian for Special Collections & Archives, Kenyon College Discovery tutorials for users (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGMwz5uwQGU)

Tim Keller Head, Discovery and Metadata Services, Oberlin College Troubleshooting bound-width records and EAD-MARC conversions

Don’t miss this opportunity to gather with colleagues from special collections, archives and technical services to learn from changing and continuing practices. We hope this event will build supportive networks for the diverse professionals stewarding and fostering engagement with special collections and archives of academic libraries.

Zoom registration: https://cwru.zoom.us/meeting/register/WAQaYaYsTTqoxy-TsOcrpQ

ALAO Community Conversations (27 Apr 2026)

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Please join us for an Academic Library Community Conversations covering topics relevant to the current state of academic librarianship in Ohio. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences, explore emerging trends, and discuss both challenges and successes across institutions. Conversation topics may include strategies for collaboration, innovation, and supporting students and faculty in the changing academic landscape in the wake of new laws and regulations affecting higher education.

This free event is intended to be a safe and welcoming space for open dialogue, reflection, and idea-sharing. Registration is available, but not required

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85600399274

ALAO 2026 Innovative Instruction Showcase (13 May 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

The Instruction and STEM interest groups of the Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) are excited to announce an online instruction showcase this spring. This will consist of a variety of short lighting talks of 7-10 minutes each.

The event will be held on Wednesday, May 13th, from 2pm - 4pm (EST) on ZOOM.

The schedule is now available. Please see this document for the full schedule with presentation details, including abstracts.

Our theme is instruction in a very broad sense. We welcome proposals that encompass innovative ideas on a variety of tools and/or topics, including but not limited to:

different subject areas
teaching and/or learning styles
lesson plans or planning
self care for instructors
distance learning
asynchronous learning materials

Proposals that address STEM instruction, distance learning, and/or current issues are particularly encouraged.

This is a community-driven event, so we want to hear from you. What do you have to share about instruction? We’d love to hear from schools of all sizes, any subject area, those who teach in-person or through distance learning. We welcome ideas great or small in this relaxed atmosphere for library instructors to connect and share ideas.

Presenters do not need to be members of ALAO or work in the state of Ohio.

Proposals will be accepted through March 31st. Review will take place through April 10th, and notices sent soon after. Proposals can be submitted through this form (https://bit.ly/ALAOShowcase26).

For questions please contact the Instruction or STEM Interest Group Co-chairs at stemig-chairs@alaoweb.org and iig-chairs@alaoweb.org.

PROMIG Snapshots of Success (03 Jun 2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

PROMIG Snapshots of Success

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

1:00-3:00 p.m. ET

You're invited to PROMIG Snapshots of Success, a virtual event hosted by ALAO’s Programming, Outreach, and Marketing Interest Group (PROMIG). Join us for a dynamic afternoon of lightning talks that spotlight innovative programming, outreach, and marketing initiatives from academic libraries across Ohio!

Great Lakes Science Boot Camp (Virtual Day) (13 Jul 2026)

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Registration and call for proposals is now open!

Great Lakes Science Boot Camp for Librarians
This immersive conference offers librarians an opportunity to learn about current research advancements in science. The Great Lakes Science Boot Camp will strive to cultivate an ongoing learning community of librarians providing research support for scientists. Details will be added to our website as they are determined.

July 8–10, 2026
In-Person at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
Cost: TBD
Contact Jennifer Simms, simms29@iu.edu, or Jennifer Muse, jelymuse@iu.edu, if you have any questions.

July 13, 2026 (10 am-4 pm Eastern Time)
Virtual
Based on feedback we received during last year’s fully virtual bootcamp, we will be hosting a virtual day of Great Lakes Science Boot Camp to connect and learn from colleagues who may or may not have been able to attend the in-person bootcamp. There will be a mix of programming, including some lightning talks.
Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://miamioh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3SXe6zanSRWXq5RvORiThQ#/registration

This event is being co-hosted by the Academic Library Association of Ohio’s (ALAO) STEM Interest Group. Contact Kristen Adams, adamsk3@miamioh.edu, and Nathanael Davis, nathanaeldavis@cedarville.edu, if you have questions.

Call for Lightning Talks
Have a topic in science librarianship that you would like to give a 7–10 minute talk on? Great Lakes Science Bootcamp is now taking submissions for 2026.

This year we are excited to offer options to present either in-person or online.

The in-person lightning talks will be presented July 8, 9, and 10 on Indiana University Bloomington campus.

The virtual lightning talks will be presented July 13 on Zoom.

Submission form
Proposals for either format are to be submitted by Friday, April 10, 2026, and you will be informed of acceptance by Friday, May 1, 2026.
If for some reason you submit a proposal and need to change your proposal from in-person to virtual, or vice versa, you need to let us know by Friday, April 10, 2026. After that date, no changes will be allowed.
Contact Kristen Adams (adamsk3@miamioh.edu) if you have any questions about the lighting talks.