::Education::Research Interests and Projects::Teaching::Memberships and Activities::Library Employment Experience::

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Education

  • Doctoral Candidate, College of Communication and Information Studies, the University of Alabama. Library and Information Studies Specialization, 2003-present.
  • Dissertation successfully defended, June, 2008: “Use” in the Literature of Library and Information Science: A Concept Analysis and Typology. Graduation date, August 9, 2008
  • M.L.I.S., Rosary College (Dominican University,) 1996.
  • B.A. in Classics, Macalester College, 1993.

Research

Research interests:

  • Academic libraries, librarianship, and users
  • Conceptual issues in LIS
  • Information seeking behavior
  • Evaluation and assessment of libraries and information resources
  • Qualitative approaches to LIS research

Research Experience:

Current Projects:

  • Under peer review for publication (with University of Alabama Reference Librarian Lisa Yuro): “From Student to Scholar: Doctoral Students’ Research Process.” Focus-group method project involving the affective and practical dimensions of social sciences doctoral students’ indoctrination into the research process. Awarded University of Alabama Libraries Innovation Grant to defray project costs.

  • In progress (with Jeff Weddle and Jill E. Grogg): "Educating for Electronic Resources: The Role of Library and Information Science Education in Preparing a New Type of Library Professional." Survey project investigating the roles and responsibilities of electronic resources librarians in academic libraries and the role of LIS education in preparing electronic resources librarians. Anticipated completion and submission for peer review, spring, 2008.

Refereed Publications:

  • DeForest, Janet L., Rachel Fleming May, and D. Brett Spencer. “Getting Our Foot (Back in) the Door: Re-establishing a Freshman Composition Instruction Program.” The Reference Librarian. 85 (2004): 151-67.

  • May, Rachel Fleming and Barbara Hedges. “Shaping Patron Behavior through Information, Communication and Education” Technical Services Quarterly. 21.1 (2003): 1-15.

Other Publications:

  • MARS Best Free Websites Committee. “Best Free Reference Web Sites: Eighth Annual List”. Reference and User Services Quarterly (RUSQ). (2006) 46.1: 34-39.

  • MARS Best Free Websites Committee. “Best Free Reference Web Sites: Seventh Annual List”. Reference and User Services Quarterly (RUSQ). (2005) 45.1: 39-44.

  • MARS Best Free Websites Committee. “Best Free Reference Web Sites: Sixth Annual List”. Reference and User Services Quarterly (RUSQ). (2004) 44.1: 39-46. Co-edited list.

  • MARS Best Free Websites Committee. “Best Free Reference Web Sites: Fifth Annual List”. Reference and User Services Quarterly (RUSQ). (2003) 43.1: 52-9.Co-edited list.

Refereed Presentations:

Refereed Poster Sessions:

  • “The Concept of Use: Its Discursive Construction and a Typology of its Application in the Literature of Library and Information Science." Winner, ALISE/Jean Tague-Sutcliffe Doctoral Student Research Poster Competition, ALISE Conference, 2008.

  • “Inputs, Outputs & Outcomes: The Concept of Use in Library and Information Science.” ALISE Annual Conference Works-In-Progress Poster Session, 2007.

  • “Collaborating for Success: Providing a Research Workshop for Doctoral Students,” (With Karen J. Cook and Lisa Yuro) Poster Session presented at the Association of College and Research Libraries’ National Conference, 2005.

  • “Beyond Preset Classes: Building Partnerships for Freshman Success” (with Janet DeForest and D. Brett Spencer) Poster Session presented at Alabama Library Association Annual Conference, 2002.

  • “Shaping Patron Behavior through Information, Communication and Education” (with Harriet Deason and Janice Simpson) Poster Session presented at Alabama Library Association Annual Conference, 2001, and American Library Association Annual Conference, 2001.

Other Research Experience:

  • MARS Best Free Websites Subject Categorization Subcommittee (three members): created, selected, and assigned subject headings for the cumulative Best Free Websites, 1999-2006.

  • Tuscaloosa City Schools-University of Alabama Research Collaborative: Developed protocols, conducted and transcribed interviews with Tuscaloosa City High School Media Specialists. Findings presented at Qualitative Interest Group (QUIG) 2006 Conference, Athens, Ga.

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Teaching

Teaching Interests include:

  • Foundations of LIS
  • Information Sources and Services (Reference)
  • Academic Library Environments
  • Information Seeking Behavior
  • Research Methods in LIS

Teaching Experience:

Position as of August, 2008:
Instructor, School of Library and Information Studies, the University of Alabama

Fall, 2008 Courses:

  • LS 531: Academic Libraries (Online)
  • LS 501: Introduction to Library & Information Studies

At the University of Alabama School of Library & Information Studies:
As Co-Instructor:

  • LS 590: Special Topics in Librarianship: Library User Instruction. Created course; not regularly offered at UA SLIS. (Fall, 2005; Spring, 2007)

As Instructor of Record:

  • LS 501: Introduction to Library and Information Studies. Included WebCT-delivered content and class sessions (Spring, 2004; Summer, 2004)
  • LS 507: Information Sources and Services (Summer, 2004).

As Guest Instructor:

  • LS 507: Information Sources and Services: “The Reference Interview”
  • LS 531: Academic Libraries: “Organizational Structure of Academic Libraries”
  • LS 502: Research Methods: “Tracing a Concept in LIS Literature”
  • CIS 655. History of the Book: Book as Artifact: “Tools for Group Research Collaboration,” “Resources for Research in Publishing, Binding, and Printing.”

Other Teaching-related Experience:

  • Developed materials for a prospective course in Electronic Reference Sources and Services.

Peer Presentations:

During Doctoral Studies:

  • “A Graduate Student’s Guide to the Getting Started with Research,” Invited presentation to cohort of Higher Education Administration Executive Ed. D. Students, July, 2007
  • “A Graduate Student’s Guide to the University of Alabama Libraries,” Invited presentation to cohort of Higher Education Administration Executive Ed. D. Students, July, 2006
  • Developed and hosted workshop for CC&IS Doctoral Students: “Getting One Step Closer to ‘A.B.D.’: Strategies for Successful Comprehensive Exams,” November, 2005
  • Developed, Hosted, and Presented Research Workshop for CC&IS Graduate Students, March, 2005

While Employed by The University of Alabama Libraries:

  • “The Library Assignment and Teaching Critical Thinking Skills: Helping Students Achieve Information Literacy” (with Janet DeForest). Presented to University of Alabama teaching faculty as part of UA’s Exploring Excellence in Teaching Week. April 2003
  • “Alabama Virtual Library’s EBSCOhost” (with Janet DeForest). University of Alabama Libraries, 2003
  • “Alabama Virtual Library’s OCLC FirstSearch” (with Janet DeForest). University of Alabama Libraries, 2003
  • “The Alabama Virtual Library and Literature Resource Center.” Session for Stillman College faculty, August 2002
  • “ISI Web of Knowledge”, presented at Gorgas Library through UA’s Office of Human Resource Development, summer 2002
  • “Tips for Effective Library Assignments.” Prepared for presentation through UA’s Office of Human Resource Development, summer, 2002
  • “The Alabama Virtual Library for Early Childhood Educators” (with Helga Visscher). Tuscaloosa City Schools, August 2000
  • “Introducing John and Jane Q. Public to your Online Resources.” University of Alabama Libraries, October 2000. Presentation based on Solinet program attended at Auburn University, June 2000.

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Grants-Related Experience

January 2005-August 2006: Grants Assistant, UA-IMLS Fellowship Program

  • Created and disseminated promotional material for program Communicated with potential applicants
  • Assisted with liaison activities between Fellows and the UA Libraries and School of Library & Information Studies
  • Created the UA-IMLS Fellowship web site (http://www.lib.ua.edu/IMLS/)
  • Developed materials and measures for outcomes-based evaluation of grant

Honors and Awards

  • Winner, ALISE/Jean Tague-Sutcliffe Award for First Place in the ALISE 2008 Doctoral Students Research Poster Session
  • Winner, Doctoral Students to ALISE Travel Grant, 2007
  • Invited participant, Doctoral Seminar on Research and Career Development, ASIS&T Annual Meeting, 2006
  • Winner, University of Alabama Graduate Council Research and Creative Activity Fellowship, 2006-7

Scholarships:

  • Recipient, Marie Drolet Bristol Endowed Scholarship, 2007-8
  • Recipient, H.W. Wilson Foundation Scholarship, 2005-6
  • Recipient, Mary E. Webster Edwards Scholarship, 2004-5
  • Recipient, Powers-Meriam Wyman Scholarship, 2003-4

Memberships and Activities

  • Ph.D. Representative (Elected), UA SLIS Student Advisory Committee, AY 2004-05
  • Member of Association of Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) and ALISE Doctoral Students’ Interest Group
  • Member of American Society of Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) and ASIS&T Information Needs, Seeking and Use Interest Group
  • Member of American Library Association ( ALA) Member of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and ACRL Instruction Section
  • Member of Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), RUSA Machine Assisted Reference Services Section (MARS), and RUSA Management and Operation of User Services Section (MOUSS)
  • Member of the Library Research Roundtable (LRRT)

Committee Memberships:

  • RUSA Machine Assisted Reference Services "Best Free Websites" Committee, 2002-05; 2005-07
  • RUSA Machine Assisted Reference Services “Best Fee-based Websites” Task Force
  • Member of Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT)
  • LIRT “Transitions to College” Committee, 2002-04
  • RUSA Management and Operation of User Services “Services to the Spanish Speaking” Committee, 2003-05
  • Member of Alabama Library Association Bibliographic Committee, 1999-2003
  • Young Adult Library Services Association Media (Audiobooks) Selection and Usage Committee (1998-2000)

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Library Employment Experience

Professional Experience:

1998-2003: Reference Librarian/Instructor – Gorgas Information Services Department, University of Alabama Libraries

  • Provided reference service on a scheduled and walk-in basis; reference collection development and maintenance
  • Developed departmental web pages; served on Libraries-wide web advisory committees and task forces
  • Supervised and trained Student Workers and Graduate Assistants
  • Coordinated UA Libraries’ Specialized Access Services
  • Liaison/Selector for Classics, Latin American Studies, and Women’s Studies
  • Developed and taught several specialized instruction sessions for higher level undergraduate and graduate seminars, including Women, Sexuality, and the Law, the Study of the work of Gabriel García Marquéz, the Study of Cuba, the Study of The New Testament of the Bible, the Internet in Library Reference Work, the Study of Buddhism, and the History of Religious Philosophy.

1996-1998: Adult/Young Adult Librarian I and II, Free Library of Philadelphia

  • Selected materials for all areas of branch service, planned programs for children, young adults, and adults, and conducted library reference service in Spanish and English
  • Supervised teen employees and volunteers; supervised branch in absence of director
  • Community Liaison for Rodríguez Branch; served as library representative on Empowerment Zone Advisory Board and Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association
  • Selected of materials for Free Library recommended lists for Young Adults; co-designed system-wide Pilot Teen Summer Reading Program.

Other Experience:

1995-1996: Intern, Clarence Darrow Library, Cook County Department of Corrections (Chicago, Illinois)

  • Selected, organized, and maintained collection
  • Solicited donations
  • Directed weekly detainee reading circle
  • Assisted with planning and implementation of programs, including multi-media Black History Month Program
  • Provided reference, reader's advisory and circulation assistance

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