resume.pdf

Education

Simmons College

MS, Library Science

May 2010.                               Boston, MA

My coursework at Simmons reflects my distinct, but complementary, interests in user instruction and creating innovative digital interfaces. I firmly believe that the future of librarianship will increasingly demand that we take a holistic approach to Public Services and what has typically been the realm of Systems Librarians. The individual at the reference desk must be as comfortable writing code as providing instruction; and the web programmer must have first hand experience in how their OPAC is used in the reading room and beyond.
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XML- eXtensible Markup Language
This hands on course included both extensive XML and XSLT coding, as well as discussion of current thoery and practice in the the library world. Projects included exposure to well-formed XML and the use of standardized mark up in Dublin Core and TEI (see related xsl and css files).
Database Management
Focusing on the design and implementation of databases this hands on course included the entity-relation models, logical schemas, MySQL and PHP. Projects included the creation of several databases, and PHP web interfaces. Examples include this data entry page (create your own dog), and this search interface (now try searching for it).
Digital Libraries
This innovative course served both as a an overview to issues surrounding digital libraries, and hands on experience in the creation of a fully functional site. Working in committees the class developed the Daisie M. Helyar Digital Scrapbook.
Web Development & Information Architecture (online)
This online course focused on theories of information architecture, flexible standards based web-design, and search engine optimization. A series of hands on projects culminated with the design of this site.
Information Organization
This course served as an introduction to traditional cataloging, and metadata creation. Included hands on experience with MARC, AARC2, and Dublin Core, with discussions on Library of Congress and Dewey classification.
Digital Information Services & Providers (online)
Evaluation of databases, issues in online searching and the information seeking behavior of users were the three primary themes of this course. Course projects focused on social search, database comparisons, and a semester long project where students reported on their time spent a "personal librarian" for someone outside of the class. My user's interest focused on the historic sites along the 2009 SunTrust Half Marathon that she participated in, and included utilizing Google Earth to help visualize the route (opens as a Google Earth file).
Evaluation of Information Services
Overview of library evaluation and assessment. Projects included and a research proposal to inform collection development polices for the MIT GIS Lab based on transaction log analysis of the MIT GeoWeb search interface.
User Instruction
This course focused on library and information literacy instruction, with particular emphasis on course development, pedagogy, needs assessment, and program evaluation. Heavily emphasizing presentation, and presentation style, projects included the development and delivery of an instruction session on the MIT GeoWeb search interface. Istruction project included development of a needs assessment and course evaluation tools.
Literature of Science & Technology
Focused on the information needs of, and major print and electronic resources used by, the science and technology research community. Course discussed issues of collection development, communication patterns, and bibliographic instruction as they relate to the scientific community. Projects included development and delivery of an instruction session on the Engineering Village interface to Inspec, and a webliography of resources in Radiation Chemistry.
Technology for Information Professionals
A general overview of technology, and technology issues, as they pertain to modern librarianship.
Reference Information Services
This course served as an introduction to the theory, history, and practice of providing reference services; while exploring major print and electronic resources. Projects included development of a pathfinder on the subject of Historiography.
Principles of Management
A general overview of basic management functions of planning, organizing, staffing, and directing in various types of libraries.

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University of Notre Dame,
and Indiana University South Bend

Graduate studies, Non-degree Seeking

August 1999 to May 2001.     South Bend, IN

After finishing my undergraduate degree, at the University of Notre Dame, I spent some time investigating a number of avenues outside my original areas of study. I took a course in conflict resolution, and a survey of comparative government, through the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at Notre Dame. I also enrolled at Indiana University South Bend, as a non-degree seeking graduate student, where I took several creative writing classes, and a foundations course in British Literature.

University of Notre Dame

BA, Philosophy and Computer Applicaitons, with Gender Studies Minor

December 1999.                     South Bend, IN

As an undergraduate student at the University of Notre Dame, I double majored in philosophy and computer applications (CAPP), with a concentration in gender studies. As a philosophy major I honed my analytical and critical writing skills, while focusing on issues of personal identity and metaphysics. I exercised my early passion for web design in the CAPP program, a management information systems degree designed for students in the college of arts & letters. Through CAPP I was also introduced to a variety of programming languages, and issues surrounding database management. My interest in ethics, and social struggle, led to a concentration in gender studies.

While at Notre Dame I also served, and participated, in a number of activities and organizations. I acted as editor in chief of the university's arts and literature magazine, "The Juggler", for two consecutive years. I volunteered at the Women's Resource Center, and was an active member of the Progressive Students Alliance. I also played on the judo team, for two years.