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Susan E. Searing

Previous Position(s)

• 1997-2012: Library & Information Science Librarian, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• 2003-2009: Coordinator, Social Sciences Division, University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• 2000-2002: Interim Women & Gender Resources Librarian, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• 1997-1999: Head, Research & Planning (User Services), and Acting Library & Information Science Librarian, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
• 1991-1997: Deputy Director and Associate Director for Public Services, University of Wisconsin-Madison General Library System.
• 1982-1991: Women's Studies Librarian, University of Wisconsin System. 
• 1976-1982: Reference Librarian, Sterling Library, Yale University.

Education

• 1976 - MA in Library Science: University of Michigan School of Library Science, Ann Arbor, MI (Beta Phi Mu).
• 1972 - BA in Russian Language and Literature: State University of New York at Binghamton (Summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa).

Instruction

• "Race, Gender, and Information Technology", University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2003, 2004).
• Independent study courses in LIS, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009).
• "Libraries, Information, and Society", University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2000).
• "Women's Issues in Library and Information Science", University of Wisconsin-Madison (1988).
• "Interdisciplinary Research: Women's Studies", Yale University (1981).

Research Interests

My research interests lie in the fields of library science and women's studies.  In the domain of library science, I research and design library collections and programs to support distance education, research and teaching in interdisciplinary fields, and information literacy.  I investigate and participate in the transformation of traditional library services to new service models, such as virtual libraries and embedded librarians, that respond to 21st century information seeking behaviors. I have recently begun exploring more historical topics, including the rise and decline of academic branch libraries. In the domain of women's studies, I have researched and contributed to the development of library collections and programs in support of feminist teaching and scholarship.  Currently, I am researching and documenting the evolution of the reference literature as women's studies emerged and matured as a field of inquiry.

Awards and Distinctions

Awards

• Best Conference Paper, Association for Library & Information Science Education annual conference (2012).
• Best Conference Paper, Association for Library & Information Science Education annual conference (2011).
• Library Science Alumni Association, University of Illinois, Distinguished Service Award (2009).
• Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2000 and 2004).
• Award for Career Achievement in Women's Studies Librarianship, Association of College & Research Libraries (2000).
• Equality Award, American Library Association (1992).

Recent Publications

Articles

Searing, Susan E. (2012, forthcoming).  In it for the long haul: lessons from a decade of assessment.  Journal of Library & Information Services in Distance Learning, 6(3/4), 1-32.

Searing, Susan E. (2012, forthcoming).  "The special collection in librarianship": researching the history of library science libraries.  Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, 53(4), 225-238.

Searing, Susan E., & Greenlee, Alison M. (2011).  Faculty responses to library service innovations: a case study.  Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, 52(4), 279-294.

Searing, Susan E. (2011).  Grey literature past and present: the evolution of library annual reports.  International Journal on Grey Literature, 7(3), 147-152.

Searing, Susan E. (2007). Integrating assessment into recurring information literacy instruction:  a case study from LIS education.  Public Services Quarterly, 3(1/2), 191-218. [Published simultaneously in: Walter, S. (Ed.), The teaching library: Approaches to assessing information literacy instruction (pp. 191-218). New York: Haworth Press.] 

Searing, Susan E. (2004). All in the family: library services for LIS online education. Journal of Library Administration, 41(3/4), 391-405.  [Published simultaneously in: Mahoney, P.B. (Ed.), The eleventh Off-Campus Library Services Conference proceedings (pp. 391-405). New York: Haworth Press.]

Books

• Loeb, Catherine, Susan E. Searing, and Esther Stineman. (1987).  Women's Studies: A Recommended Core Bibliography, 1980-1985.  Littleton, CO: Libraries Unlimited. 

• Searing, Susan E.  (1985).  Introduction to Library Research in Women's Studies.  Boulder, CO: Westview Press. 

Book Chapters

• Searing, Susan E. (2013).  Shaping the librarian's library: collecting to support LIS education and practice.  In Library collection development for professional programs: trends and best practices, pp. 88-111.  Sara Holder (ed.).  Hershey, PA: IGI-Global.

• Searing, Susan E. (2009).  Library and information science.  In ALA Guide to Reference.

• Searing, Susan E. (2004).  Reshaping traditional services for non-traditional learning: the LEEP student in the library.  In Learning, culture and community in online education: research and practice, pp. 267-282.  Caroline Haythornthwaite and Michelle M. Kazmer (eds.).  New York: Peter Lang.

• Searing, Susan E.  (2002).  Feminist values and the canon question: shaping library collections and electronic gateways to information in women's studies.  In Information sources in women's studies and feminism, pp. 79-99.  Hope Olson (ed.)  Munich: K.G. Saur. 

Other Publications

• Searing, Susan E.  (2010).  Review of Culture club: the curious history of the Boston Atheneaum.   portal: Libraries and the Academy,10(2), 250-252 .

• Searing, Susan E.  (2010).  Review of Women & addiction.  Feminist Collections, 31(1/2), 31.

• Searing, Susan E. (2009).  Review of Shapers of the great debate on women’s rights: A biographical dictionary.  Feminist Collections, 30(1), 22-23.

• Searing, Susan E.  (2008).  Review of Making a difference: leadership and academic libraries and Beyond survival: managing academic libraries in transition. Library Quarterly, 78(3), 321-326.

• Searing, Susan E. (2008).  Review of The library as place: history, community, and culture.  portal: Libraries and the Academy, 8(2), 214-215. 

Editorial Work

• Ingold, Cindy, and Susan E. Searing (eds.)  (2007)  Gender issues in information needs and services [thematic issue].  Library Trends, 57(2).

Web Projects

• Edible book festivals at academic libraries: http://uiuc.libguides.com/ediblebooks (Last Modified January 21, 2012).

Professional Service

• American Library Association
• Association for Library & Information Science Education
• Association of College & Research Libraries - Women's Studies Section
• Beta Phi Mu (international Library & Information Science honor society)
• Beta Phi Mu, Alpha Chapter
• Library Trends - Editorial Board

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Last modified by: Susan Searing on 9/21/12