Skip to content

Photo of Dr. Stephanie Sterling Brasley
Dr. Stephanie Sterling Brasley

Dr. Stephanie Sterling Brasley is the Dean of the Library at California State University Dominguez Hills. She joined the Advisory Board of the Threshold Achievement Test for Information Literacy in 2017. Here she talks about the critical role of information literacy in student success and life long learning, her support of OER, her experience at IDEAL '19, and more!

Question: Please tell us about a project or research or initiative you are currently working on.
 

I have been interested in open educational resources (OER) and open access issues for several years. Thus, I am trying to carve out time to turn my dissertation research on faculty adoption of open educational resources in higher education into an article. On the job front, at CSU Dominguez Hills, high impact practices (HIPs) are a focal point for the campus community and undergraduate research is one in which our library can make a positive contribution. I am excited about working this year with our Student Success Librarian, Cristina Springfield, to develop and implement an Undergraduate Library Research Fellows program to excite our students about the positive aspects of knowing how to and successfully engage in quality research. As a perennial information literacy enthusiast, I see implementing this program, which aligns with our information literacy goals, as being a win-win for HIPs and information literacy.

...continue reading "Meet the TATIL Advisory Board: Stephanie Sterling Brasley"

Photo of Silvia Vong
Silvia Vong, University of Toronto

Silvia Vong joined the Advisory Board for the Threshold Achievement Test for Information Literacy in 2015. She was a key contributor to the creation of TATIL. She wrote test items, conducted cognitive interviews with students, and advised on other aspects of the project. In this interview she describes her work at the John M. Kelly Library in the University of St. Michael’s College, how her teaching approach has evolved, her project to introduce scholarly communication to undergraduates, and more!

Question: Please tell us about your job. 

I am currently Head of Public Services at John M. Kelly Library in the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto. This was a recent change as a couple years ago, I was the Collaborative Learning Librarian. In my previous role, I was the liaison for the Book and Media Studies program and taught an undergraduate course that introduced students to library and archival concepts and topics as well as research skills. Eventually I was given the opportunity to become Head of Public Services and I saw an opportunity to learn more about access services including overcoming the daily challenges that come with working the frontline. In the role, I oversaw the various services we provided for faculty, students, and staff and act as a liaison between our department and other library departments as well as the various departments across campus. 

...continue reading "Meet the TATIL Advisory Board: Silvia Vong"

Photo of Monica Lopez
Monica Lopez, Librarian/Associate Professor and Acquisitions and Collection Development Coordinator at Cerritos College

Monica joined the Advisory Board for the Threshold Achievement Test for Information Literacy in 2017. Learn how Monica values the diverse backgrounds of her students and uses her own cultural experiences to connect and engage.

Question #1: Please tell us about your job. 

I am currently a full-time Librarian/Associate Professor and Acquisitions and Collection Development Coordinator at Cerritos College. Cerritos College is a community college in Norwalk, California and is one of the largest community colleges in Los Angeles County. I have been part of the Cerritos College campus community since 2004. My role as a faculty member and librarian is to provide high-quality, academically rigorous instruction in a comprehensive curriculum that respects the diversity represented in our student body and region. 

In addition to coordinating responsibilities in the library, I have taught an introductory library research course as a standalone course and through the Learning Community Program (First Year Experience). I have also taught with the PUENTE Program (puente means bridge in Spanish) which is a National Model for Student Success. I was a pioneer on campus by being part of the first campus to teach an introduction to library research course in The PUENTE Program in California. I have worked closely with my colleagues in the Learning Community Program to provide instruction in using our online research databases for specific assignments for English and Counseling courses. I firmly believe in bridging the gaps that students might encounter while attending community college by engaging in interdisciplinary programs and providing rich learning experiences.

...continue reading "Meet the TATIL Advisory Board: Monica Lopez"

Photo of Natalie Lopez
Natalie Lopez, Outreach Librarian for Palomar College

Natalie Lopez joined the Advisory Board for the Threshold Achievement Test for Information Literacy in 2017. Here she reveals how her teaching has evolved and shares her approach to incorporating the frames into her instruction. She also explains the meaning of this photo!

Question #1: Please tell us about your job.                        

I am the Outreach Librarian for Palomar College! I extend the promotional reach of library services to our student population, our faculty and our community of prospective students. I love that we have so many wonderful services to help our students succeed. My job involves increasing the visibility of these services and making sure students know to ask questions. I also let faculty know we build our collections based on the curriculum and we can help instruct their students how to successfully navigate the library as they work on research papers. 

...continue reading "Meet the TATIL Advisory Board: Natalie Lopez"

Photo of kYmberly Keeton
kYmberly Keeton

kYmberly Keeton joined the TATIL Advisory Board in 2017. She brings a creative and dynamic mindset to her participation on the Board and to the many accomlishments she describes in this interview.

Q: kYmberly, thank you for joining us! Please tell us about your job. How do you spend your time? What do you like or love about your position?

kYmberly: I am the newly appointed African American Community Archivist & Librarian at the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, in Austin, Texas (the state capital). I have the opportunity to document and curate the African American narrative through acquiring and processing archival collections, be a cultural fixture in the city through outreach, create programming and form collaborative partnerships, and design and coordinate exhibitions.

...continue reading "Meet the TATIL Advisory Board: kYmberly Keeton"