Scholarly Communication Commons^™

From Print To Pixels: Preserving Alabama’S Historic Newspapers Through Digitization, David Ferrara, Melissa Young

The Southeastern Librarian

This article presents a case study of the Alabama Digital Newspaper Project (ALDNP), a grant-funded initiative to digitize Alabama’s historic newspapers. It outlines the establishment and history of ALDNP, including its accomplishments, and the challenges faced and overcome by University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections (UALSC) staff. This case study details ALDNP’s workflows, including title selection, metadata creation, technical standards, and microfilm digitization. This article also highlights outreach efforts, including collaborations with regional archives, student workers, and community educators. In addition to providing details on the accomplishments of ALDNP, it also outlines potential areas for growth and expansion. Detailing a …

Editor's Notes, John H. Barnett

The Southeastern Librarian

The Southeastern Librarian editor's column for the Spring 2026 issue

Sela Leadership: Officers, Executive Committee, State Representatives, Committees, Sections, Round Tables, And Ad Hoc Committees, John H. Barnett

The Southeastern Librarian

List of SELA Officers, Executive Committee, State Representatives, Committees, Sections, Round Tables, and Ad Hoc Committees for the Spring 2026 issue

Book Review: Social Justice Design And Implementation In Library And Information Science Edited By Bharat Mehra, Ellie F. Kawada

School of Information Student Research Journal

Social Justice Design and Implementation in Library and Information Science, edited by Bharat Mehra, is an engaging volume that explores the pursuit of social justice in its many forms in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS). The included chapters cover case studies of social justice implementation in library services, theoretical frameworks for subversive methods of research and education, and the future of library advocacy for social justice. While the volume is centered on English-speaking countries and lacks the perspective of paraprofessional library staff, the themes and examples presented in the book are invaluable to any LIS students, professionals, …

Decolonizing The Academic Library: Examining The Successful Indigenization Of Ubc And Unm’S Library Services, Emily T. Villars

School of Information Student Research Journal

This article examines decolonization and indigenization initiatives at two academic libraries: the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of New Mexico (UNM). It asks how these institutions have implemented indigenization in their libraries and what lessons can inform broader reconciliation work across North America. Through a comparative lens, it analyzes how national and organizational frameworks, such as the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA-FCAB) Truth and Reconciliation Report and Recommendations and the American Indian Library Association’s (AILA) organizational goals, can shape these efforts. The study highlights three core strategies: decolonizing access and classification, transforming library spaces, and expanding …

Book Review: Academic Librarian Burnout: Causes And Responses Edited By Christina Holm, Ana Guimaraes, And Nashieli Marcano, Brianna Gaffney

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

A Reflection On Research Limitations And Conclusions, Pearl Kim

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Resources To Support Research And Scholarly Communication Processes, Tracy Cole

University Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications and Presentations

This is a presentation by Tracy Cole who co-presented with Clista Clanton at the request of the Office of Research during the 2026 Responsible Conduct of Research training series. Their presentations covered the topic of USA Institutional Resources to Support Research and the Scholarly Communication Processes.

Knowing what institutional resources are available to support research and scholarly communication processes are not always apparent. This presentation highlights platforms that support open access archiving of scholarly products (JagWorks), and  also discusses publishing trends and what transformative agreements are available to help open access publishing be more equitable and accessible to the USA …

Entire Vol. 13, Iss. 1

SLIS Connecting

No abstract provided.

Gamification In Libraries: A Bibliometric Study, Alice Bessette

SLIS Connecting

This bibliometric research proposal addresses the use of gamification in libraries. Articles for this proposal can be divided into the following subtopics: patron orientation and engagement, information literacy, library instruction, and staff training. Readers of this bibliometric study will be able to locate some of the more impactful articles about gamification in libraries. Library & Information Science Source, a database located within EBSCOhost’s collection of databases, was used to collect data for this study.

Community College Library Digital Branches And Their Communities, Helen Cozart

SLIS Connecting

Community Colleges have long been a staple of American life. They offer an affordable education that is transferable to a four-year school or certification in a trade. Since they are in the community, costs can be further lowered by allowing traditional students to live at home and non-traditional students to be with their families and workplaces (Princeton Review, n.d.). Many community colleges actively engage with their communities, encouraging attendance and offering community enrichment programs. Community college libraries can occupy a powerful position in this relationship, creating an environment for the public that is inviting and encouraging through their physical offerings …

Beyond The Tropes: Viewing The Horror Genre Through The Lens Of Bipoc Readers, Kimberly Wade

SLIS Connecting

Horror novels have been and continue to grow in popularity among all age demographics in the United States. According to a 2020 Book Ad Report study, horror novels were the fifth highest-grossing genre, topping $79.6 million in 2020 (Herold, 2019, para. 16). With the growing popularity of horror novels within the market, authors and publishers have pushed for inclusion and diversity in who is writing the material, who is reading the books, and who is represented within the pages. This drive to include “Black, Indigenous, People of Color” (BIPOC) and other diverse authors and characters is necessary in allowing young …

Disobedient Women: A Quantitative Analysis Of Females In The Lowndes County, Mississippi Circuit Court Felony Criminal Cases Housed At The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System Billups-Garth Archival Room, 1830-1899, Mona Vance-Ali

SLIS Connecting

This study concentrates solely on the court records dating from 1830 to 1899, comprising 4,740 individual cases. The date range covers local population shifts and larger historical events such as the Institution of Slavery, the American Civil War, and the rise of Jim Crow in the American South. Mississippi became a state in 1817 (Ownby, 2017, Mississippi Statehood). In 1830, Lowndes County formed out of Monroe County (Ownby, 2017, Lowndes County). At that time, the total population of the county was 3,173. A decade later, the population jumped over 357 percent to include 14,513 people. The number continued to rise …

A Citation Analysis Of Post-Postmodern Fiction Scholarship In Proquest Dissertations And Theses Global From 2000 – 2024, Jaren Swann

SLIS Connecting

The purpose of this study is to conduct a citation analysis of theses and dissertations on post-postmodern fiction published from 2000 – 2024, as indexed in ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, to identify significant contributors, relevant resources, and important publication venues on this contemporary subject, helping academic librarians to enhance collection development and provide support for teaching, learning and research services.

Tattoo Archives: A Collection Analysis, Jennifer Neville

SLIS Connecting

Tattooing and body modification have been a part of human existence for thousands of years. Although for much of the 20th century, tattoos in America were seen as part of a subculture, in the late 20th century and into the 21st, they gained popularity and more widespread cultural acceptance. Despite the historical lack of mainstream acceptance, tattooing has a wide and varied history. Tattooing was and remains important to many indigenous people, it has always been popular within the military, especially during wartime, and it has a fascinating place in sideshow history. Even though many people now wear tattoos, the …

Subjective Cataloging And Acquisitions In Relation To Controversial Titles: A Collection Analysis Of Challenged Lgbtq+ Titles In Louisiana Libraries, Madeline Moghimi

SLIS Connecting

In late 2022, the Attorney General of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, began a campaign to block access to books considered sexually graphic in Louisiana libraries (Landry, 2023). In a report released in February 2023, Landry called for a system that would prevent minors from being able to access objectionable books (Landry, 2023). Despite Landry’s claim that this is not censorship or an attempt at banning books, this can prevent access, effectively censoring titles for a subsection of the population. While Landry did not call for books to be moved to a different collection, this attempt at blocking access has made censorship …

Miss Me With That Misinformation: A Content Analysis Of Library Websites’ Resources Against Misinformation, Cheyenne Brady

SLIS Connecting

From the C.R.A.A.P. test to webinars and videos on how to fact-check properly, it is now more important than ever that librarians aid patrons in sharpening their critical analysis skills, especially through passive means. However, on that front, are all library websites created equal? This research examined programming and resources related to information and digital literacy through a content analysis of public and academic library websites.

Comparing Library Websites At Four-Year Public Universities In Arkansas, Alice Bessette

SLIS Connecting

From accessibility to website architecture and everything in between, academic libraries can have a profound impact on the students of their institutions. Simmonds and Andaleeb (2001) argue that academic libraries are “the heart of the learning community” (p. 626). They go on to explain that the support librarians offer students and staff is vital to the community’s search for knowledge. Reitz (2017) said a variation of this as well, stating that academic libraries are “integral” parts of the institutions they support. In an increasingly digital world, websites serve as primary entry points for individuals looking to access their college or …

From The Gas: Publications, Congratulations, And Presentations, Stacy L. Creel, Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

Includes book reviews by the graduate assistants for The Story Factory, Strong Like Me, and Lily the Pond Mermaid. Also, includes a list of what the faculty are currently reading.

Spotlights: Faculty, Alumni, Festival, Stacy L. Creel, Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

Learn about keynote speakers at the Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival and updates from Dr. Ashley Marshall and alumni Jennifer Ottinger.

Slis Director's Report, Stacy L. Creel, Ph.D.

SLIS Connecting

Welcome to Vol. 13, No. 1 issue of SLIS Connecting.

Searching Smarter, Connecting Better, Abby Veiman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries: White Papers

In Searching Smarter, Connecting Better, Abby Veiman reflects on her experience as a data-driven researcher to reimagine the future of research libraries. Drawing from her work as an Ameritas Research Assistant in Actuarial Science and Risk Management, she highlights how modern research is increasingly digital, analytical, and dependent on technological infrastructure rather than physical materials. Veiman argues that libraries must continue evolving beyond access to databases by strengthening technological capacity, supporting responsible AI integration, and providing clearer guidance on the effective and ethical use of emerging research tools. She emphasizes the need for libraries to serve as trusted institutions …

The Southeastern Librarian 73(4) Winter 2026 (Full Issue)

The Southeastern Librarian

No abstract provided.

Keeping The Chattahoochee: Reviving And Defending A Great Southern River, Melanie Vincent

The Southeastern Librarian

Sally Sierer Bethea

Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2025

ISBN: 9780820374512

210 pp. $20.95 (Pbk)

The Story Quilts Of Yvonne Wells, Tammera Race

The Southeastern Librarian

Stacy I. Morgan and Yvonne Thomas Wells

Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 2024

ISBN: 9780817361389

360 pp. $60.00 (Pbk)

Sela News, Blake Denton

The Southeastern Librarian

No abstract provided.

Advancing Research Appointments: Enhancing Patron Satisfaction Through Assessment, Kytt Everdeen Moore, Tera A. Ray, Laura B. Wright

The Southeastern Librarian

As research appointments continue to be a service offered across reference departments, it is important to regularly assess their effectiveness at meeting patrons’ needs and to seek improvement. To do this, patrons were surveyed after scheduling a research appointment to understand their reasons for scheduling an appointment, preferred formats, expectations, knowledge gained, and overall satisfaction. The findings revealed that most patrons were students, and the most common way to learn about appointments was from instructors. Patrons primarily scheduled appointments online, citing convenience and location as main reasons for their choice. Their main expectation was to learn effective search strategies. Recommendations …

Florida Springs: From Geography To Politics And Restoration, Linh Uong

The Southeastern Librarian

Christopher F. Meindl

Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2024

ISBN: 9780813079158

245 pp. $38.00 (Hbk)

Accessibility Services And Support In Small And Rural Academic Libraries, Robert M. Amerson, Deborah Tritt Harmon

The Southeastern Librarian

This exploratory study examines how small and rural academic libraries support students with disabilities. While grounded in a professional commitment to equitable service, these libraries often face challenges, such as limited staff, aging infrastructure, and stagnant funding. Survey results from 38 librarians reveal a strong dedication to accessibility, despite institutional constraints. Respondents identified barriers, such as insufficient training, inadequate resources, and minimal collaboration with campus disability offices. However, many also reported implementing personalized, student-centered services and cited the advantages of flexibility and close student relationships in small academic settings. The findings underscore the need for tailored support, increased training opportunities, …

Invisible Blackness: A Louisiana Family In The Age Of Racial Passing, Tim Dodge

The Southeastern Librarian

Katy Morlas Shannon

Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2025

ISBN: 9780807183823

184 pp. $29.95 (Hbk)