<div dir="ltr"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-6ede6edf-7fff-90fb-a72a-bd15dd21fae4"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Deadline EXTENDED for ALAO Annual Conference Proposals </span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(204,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:none;display:inline-block;overflow:hidden;width:624px;height:169px"><img src="cid:ii_mod81re50" alt="image.png" width="481" height="130"></span></span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">It’s not too late! Come share your ideas, programs, work at the 52nd ALAO Annual Conference.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">  </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">In-Person Conference Location (Thursday and Friday, Oct 29th-30th, 2026):</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> OCLC Convention Center, Dublin, OH</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">The 2026 ALAO Conference Planning Committee hosted an informal virtual conversation to fuel interest among potential first-time presenters and anyone else curious about taking their ideas to new heights. Here is a </span><a href="https://youtu.be/G60zWySs8I0?si=tAb5JSSqAaifTU5J" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">recording of the webinar</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> that took place on April 9, 2026.  </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Submission Deadline has been Extended to:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:rgb(255,255,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">May 15, 2026</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScz18R9DeFuPHHeDdOgvsUgjvfNMN5_nj_lL4YtfmQ1F4cdYA/viewform" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,0);font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Submit Proposals Here</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Please n</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">ote also that grants are available for </span><a href="https://www.alaoweb.org/Student-Presenter-Grant" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Students</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> and </span><a href="https://www.alaoweb.org/Support-Staff-Conference-Grant" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Library Support Staff</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> to attend or aid in presenting at the conference.  </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Adherence to the conference theme, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Preserving the past, Empowering the future: Ohio Academic Libraries</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">, is encouraged </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">but not required</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:</span></p><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Libraries’ role supporting citizenship and civic engagement</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Leadership in libraries during challenging times</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Preserving historical materials and documents</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Advocacy for libraries and library workers</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Innovative instruction & research support</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Generating student success in the classroom and beyond</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Measuring the impact of library programs and services</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Original use of generative AI in library work</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Exploring new acquisition models</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Strategies for working with Alma normalization rules</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Inventive student worker roles and duties</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Expressing the value of the library to stakeholders</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Collection assessment, management, & development</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Libraries as supportive environments and communities</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Self-care for library personnel</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Library integrations with campus systems like Workday or EAB Navigate</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Strategies for creating successful library outreach</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Connecting and collaborating with non-library units</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin-left:14pt"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt" role="presentation"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Universal access in libraries: spaces, interfaces, licenses, etc</span></p></li></ul><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Proposal Submissions</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Choose which option best fits your topic(s). Multiple submissions are allowed, but each must represent a different topic.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Conference Session Proposals:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">We invite proposals from </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">all areas of library work</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> in the form of presentations, posters, & lightning talks.  If you have a unique session format idea, please submit it under the </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Presentation</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> option (i.e., panel discussions, etc.).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Full Details & Guidelines:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> </span><a href="https://www.alaoweb.org/conferences/2026/proposals" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,0);font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">https://www.alaoweb.org/conferences/2026/proposals</span></a></p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">If you have questions about conference programming or proposal submissions, please contact </span><a href="mailto:program@alaoweb.org" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">program@alaoweb.org</span></a></span><br></div>