About the Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO)
Contents
- History
- ALAO Constitution
- ALAO Mission and Strategic Plan with Goals and Objectives for 2005/2006-2009/2010
- The Ohio College Association
- ALAO and ACRL
- Board
- Committees
- Interest Groups
- Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award
- About ALAO Annual Conferences
- ALAO Research Grant
- ALAO Logos -- Redesigned by Karen A. Plummer, The University of Akron; Refined and reformated by ??
History of the Academic Library Association of Ohio
The current constitution of ALAO evolved from committee recommendations approved during the October 1973 conference of the Ohio Library Association. The original statement of purpose, "To advance academic library service in Ohio by defining, studying, and giving voice to the interests and concerns of academic libraries and their personnel," was adopted as an outgrowth of efforts to reorganize and revitalize what was then called the Librarians Section of the Ohio College Association. It was established in 1947 as the College Librarians Section of OCA, in response to desires of members of the College and University Division of the Ohio Library Association for a professional organization that was more focused on the needs of academic libraries.
The association with OCA had been (and remains) 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. Annual ALAO held its first conference that same year as a preconference to the OLA Annual Meeting. ALAO later sought and gained affiliation with the Association of College and Research Libraries. ALAO became the Ohio chapter of ACRL in 1981, and the dual affiliations with OCA and ACRL remain strong.
Today ALAO counts approximately 440 individuals as members, representing more than 100 libraries, organizations, and businesses. 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, and the distinctive 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. 1995