Research Agenda:

My research agenda has two main components: online education and teens and children. When looking at online education, my areas of interests focus on both their preparedness for the field of librarianship and their sense of community in the online environment. The area of teens and children includes their information seeking skills, censorship of youth library materials, their reading habits, and their reading lists.

 

Scholarly Publications:

Publications include four research articles (two as sole author—with one in the revision process—and two as first author). I was second author of a paper that was published in a peer-reviewed conference proceeding, and first author of the peer-reviewed extended abstract for the same conference.  Additionally, I have one peer-reviewed chapter for a scholarly book, which is an update of my dissertation. I am second author on a short item published in a peer-reviewed journal and sole author on one professional article. I also have a co-authored piece in SLIS’ in-house e-journal. 

 

In addition to research articles published in peer-reviewed venues, authorship of book chapters is valued by our department. I feel strongly that professional book chapters serve as a way to raise the profile of Southern Miss’ SLIS, while also contributing to the profession and the academic body of work. I have two chapters in print for practitioners in the information setting, which have been positively reviewed, and one accepted and being reviewed for edits for use in academic instruction.

 

Research in Progress:

Currently, I have completed three surveys with other faculty members and am in the process of analysis. 

 

Impact:

WorldCat (2015) lists Library youth outreach: 26 ways to connect with children, young adults and their families in the collections of over 100 public and academic libraries worldwide and Continuing education for librarians: Essays on career improvement through classes, workshops, conferences, and more in over 90 public and academic libraries. New Directions in Children's and Adolescents' Information Behavior Research can be found in 370 academic libraries. The acceptance rate and impact information for the research articles can be found in after this summary.

 

Scholarly Presentations:

I have done three presentations at international scholarly conferences; including being one of only three American submissions accepted to present at the 2013 International Conference on Electronic Publishing, Karlskrona, Sweden. I have presented at nine juried national/regional/state conferences.

 

I have been an invited presenter at seven educational forums on digital publishing and online teaching, and I presented one invited poster at a national conference.

 

Mentored Students’ Publications/Presentations:

Students are encouraged to submit their research for scholarly publication or presentation. Several research papers produced in my classes have been published in scholarly and professional journals including: Corinne Kennedy (MLIS 2012), “Bibliometric Study of Scholarly Writing and Publishing Patterns in Regards to Copyright Issues of Visual Art Resources,” Art Documentation 34(1): 60-70, 2015; Carlos Crockett (MLIS 2013), “Urban Youth & Public Libraries,” Public Libraries Sept/Oct, 2014; Timothy Senapatiratne, “Reference Ethics: Theological Librarianship in Conversation with ALA Reference Ethics Guidelines” (paper completed in LIS 501: Reference) in Journal of Religious & Theological Information 12(1/2), 2‐12, 2013; Charile Simpkins  (MLIS 2019). "Webometrics and Mississippi Public Libraries: A Webometrics Study of Public Libraries in Mississippi," SLIS Connecting: Vol. 8 : Iss. 1; Melissa Smith Rushing (MLIS 2019),  "A Snapshot of Programming at Public Library Websites in Mississippi," Mississippi Libraries, 82(3), 42-45.; Amber Stephenson (MLIS 2018). "STEM Programming for Youth," Mississippi Libraries, 82(3), 46-52.

 

Students are asked not to use my name as co-author on papers produced in one of my classes, even though I provide guidance and feedback; my name is listed only on articles to which I contribute substantial, original content as co-author. 

 

Additional details on my research, publications, presentations, grant seeking, and service can be found on my CV.