My main research interests involve the role of the academic library and librarian in higher education, evaluation of academic library services, and academic library user behavior. I am also interested in exploring the history, development, and significance of fundamental concepts in LIS theory and practice. I am also drawn to topics related to the “human side” of information science, such as affective and cognitive dimensions of information needs, seeking, and use.

My dissertation focuses on the development of the concept of use in library and information science: its development, significance, and application in the LIS literature. In the future, I plan to continue this line of inquiry, focusing on such topics as current librarian and user perceptions of library use, methods of evaluating library and information use, and the relationship between use and library assessment. A presentation of this research won the 2008 ALISE/Jean Tague-Sutcliffe Doctoral Student Research Poster Competition.

I successfully defended my dissertation in June, 2008.

I am fortunate to have an incredible dissertation committee:

Dr. Charles B. Osburn, Advisor, School of Library and Information Studies
Dr. Elizabeth Aversa, School of Library and Information Studies
Dr. Gary Copeland, Telecommunications & Film, College of Communications & Information Sciences
Dr. Claire Major, Higher Education Administration, College of Education
Dr. Tonyia Tidline, School of Library and Information Studies

A more detailed description of my research agenda can be downloaded in word or pdf format.