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Dr. Donna Gilton

Professor, Graduate School of Library and Information Studies

 

University of Rhode Island
Rodman Hall Room 9
Kingston, RI 02881-0815
Phone: (401) 874-4630
FAX: (401) 874-4964
E-mail: dgilton@uri.edu

 

 

 

Professional Interests:

  • Reference Services
  • Information Literacy/User Education
  • Information Sources in Business, the Social Sciences and the Humanities
  • Library Services to Diverse Populations

Education

  • 1988, Ph.D.   University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA Library Science
  • 1975, M.S.    Simmons College, Boston, MA
  • 1972, B.A.     Simmons College, Boston, MA  History and Elementary Education                        

Title of dissertation presented for doctoral degree: The Use of Information Sources By Small Pennsylvania Manufacturers

Areas of special competence in library education:

  • Reference services
  • Bibliographic instruction
  • Information sources in business, the social sciences, and the humanities
  • Library services to diverse populations.

Work Experience

  • 1988-1991      Business Reference Librarian, University Libraries, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
  • 1984-1988      Business Reference Librarian, Helm-Cravens Library, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
  • 1979-1981      Head Librarian, Belize Teachers' College, Belize City, Belize (British Honduras).
  • 1978-1979      Librarian II, Uphams Corner Branch, Boston Public Library, Dorchester, MA.
  • 1975-1978      Librarian I, Codman Square Branch, Boston Public Library, Dorchester, MA.
  • 1972-1975      Pre-professional Assistant, Boston Public Library, Central Library, Boston, MA

Teaching Experience

  • 2006-Present, Professor, Library Science, Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, University of Rhode Island. Courses taught:
  • 1998-2006, Associate Professor, Library Science, Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, University of Rhode Island.
  • 1992-1998     Assistant Professor, Library Science, Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, University of Rhode Island.
  • 1989-1991     Coordinated bibliographic instruction for the Reference Section of the Pattee Library, Pennsylvania State University.
  • 1988-1991     Team-taught a business honors seminar designed to teach students how to write their theses. Responsible for one-fifth of the course, which covered techniques of literature searching. Assigned workbook exercises and a bibliography which I also evaluated, Pennsylvania State University.
  • 1988-1991     Conducted bibliographic instruction in Business Writing, Writing in the Social Sciences, Writing in the Humanities, Multicultural Education, Health Education, and Speech Communications, Pennsylvania State University.
  • 1984-1987     Conducted bibliographic instruction in business subjects, Afro-American Studies, and Canadian Studies, Western Kentucky University.
  • 1979-1981     Initiated Library Orientation and Instruction Program. Team-taught with instructors in Agriculture and English. Responsible for library skills component. Belize Teachers’ College.
  • 1975-1979     Taught library skills to elementary and junior high students in a public library setting, Boston Public Library.

Honors

  • The Unsung Heroine Award. New England Conference Branch of the Women’s Missionary Society. African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.), April 18, 2007
  • Faculty Sabbatical, Spring, 2006
  • Education Award. Newport Women’s League. Newport, RI April 15, 2007
  • Featured in “Alumni Profile” Pingree Bulletin Fall/Winter, 2006-2007
  • Service Award. Bethel A.M.E. Church. May, 2004
  • The Provost Fund, University of Pittsburgh, 1983-1984.
  • The Harold Lancour Award, University of Pittsburgh, 1983.
  • Title IIB Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh, 1981-1982.

 

Research and Non-Research Publications

Completed Research

  • “Information Literacy as a Department Store: Applications For Public Teen Librarians. ”Young Adult Library Services. Winter, 2007. pp.39-42, 48.
  • Multicultural and Ethnic Children’s Literature in the United States (Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2007).
  • “Culture Shock in the Library: Implications for Information Literacy Instruction.v. 20 (2007): 424-432.” Research Strategies. V. 20 (2007): 424-432.
  • “Beyond Christian Education?: A Story Not Yet Told: Past, Present, and Future Youth Ministry in Black Churches.”– Full article on theYouthWorker Journal website athttp://www.youthworker.com/publications/2006JulAug/features/1406098.html Excerpted as “Teaching So Black and Multicultural Students Can Learn.” In print version of Youthworker Journal v. 22, no. 6 July/Aug., 2006 p. 41.
  • “Facing the Music and Keeping It Fresh, Rooted, and Real.”The A.M.E. Church Review. April-June, 2005 pp. 41-48.
  • Teaching About Information. (web site). http://www.uri.edu/artsci/lsc/Faculty/gilton/Index.html - Launched January 2004.
  • “One in the Spirit: Multiculturalism in Church Libraries.” MultiCultural Review. V. 10, no. 4 (December 2001) pp. 22-33.
  • “Journals of the Century in the American Religious Experience.” The Serials Librarian. V. 39, no. 4 2001, pp. 25-39.
  • “Onward and Upward: Promotion of Public Librarians.” Public Libraries. V. 39, no. 4 (July-August, 2000) pp. 214-219.
  • "Onward and Upward! The Placement and Promotion of Latino, Latina, and Other Academic and Public Librarians of Color." REFORMA Newsletter. V. 16, no. 3 (Fall 1997) pp. 14-16.
  • "Cultural Diversity in the Work Place: A Look at the Library Science Literature." RQ V. 36, no. 2 (Winter 1996) pp. 185-189.
  • "Multicultural Librarianship: Theoretical Aspects." in Culture Keepers II: Unity Through Diversity: Proceedings of the Second National Conference of African American Librarians. Edited by Stanton F. Biddle. Black Caucus of the American Library Association, 1995, pp. 77-82.
  • "Library Instruction, LSC 524 (Fall 1993.)" (Published 1995) ERIC ED 381 159.
  • "All Spread Out and Too Far to Go: A Personal Description of the Dynamics of the Small, Isolated A.M.E. Church." The A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal) Review. V. 110, no. 355 (July-Sept. 1994) pp. 8-12.
  • "A World of Difference: Preparing for Information Literacy Instruction for Diverse Groups." MultiCultural Review. v. 3 no. 3 (September 1994) pp. 54-62.
  • "This Far By Faith: Resources of the African-American Church." RQ V. 32, no. 4 (Summer 1993). pp. 468-484.
  • "Can We Talk?: What Should People Know About Library Information And When Should They Know It? " CRIARL (Consortium of Rhode Island Academic and Research Libraries) Newsletter. Volume 12, no. 1 (March 1993). pp. 1,2,8.
  • "Information Entrepreneurship: Sources for Reference Librarians." RQ. V. 31, no. 3 (Spring 1992). pp. 346-355.
  • "Carl Thomas Rowan " (bibliography and resource guide). Read More About It: An Encyclopedia of Information Sources on Historical Figures and Events . Ann Arbor, MI: Pierian, 1989. pp. 605-607.
  • "Black Theology: Schools of Thought. " A.M.E. Review. V. 104, no. 34 (April-June 1989) pp. 25-38.
  • "Information Sources Used by Small Pennsylvania Manufacturers: Implications for Information Brokers." Information Broker. V. 5, no. 7 (November-December 1988). pp. 1-2, 4, 8, 10.
  • Dissertation. University of Pittsburgh. The Use of Information Sources By Small Pennsylvania Manufacturers. 1988.

Reviews - Books

  • Jones, Christopher Michael. What to Expect When You're Accepted: An African American Christian's Guide to College. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2007. Youthworker Journal. November/December, 2007 pp.78-79.
  • Cook, Billie Montgomery. The Real Deal: A Spiritual Guide For Black Teen Girls. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2004. YouthWorker Journal. September/October, 2007 p. 60.
  • Yancey, George. Beyond Racial Gridlock: Embracing Mutual Responsibility. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2006. Multicultural Review. V. 15 no. 4 Fall, 2006 p. 75.
  • Echols, James. I Have a Dream: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Future of Multicultural America. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004. MultiCultural Review. V. 14 no. 3 Summer, 2005 pp. 78-79.
  • Mitchell, Henry H. Black Church Beginnings: The Long-Hidden Realities of the First Years. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman's, 2004. MultiCultural Review. V. 14 no. 3 Summer, 2005 p. 79.
  • Holmes, Barbara A. Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004. MultiCultural Review. V. 14 no. 2 Spring, 2005 p. 80.
  • Wilmore, Gayraud S. Pragmatic Spirituality: the Christian Faith Through an Afrocentric Lens. NY: New York U. Press, 2004. MultiCultural Review. V. 14 no. 2 Spring, 2005 p. 80.
  • Williams, Demetrius K. An End to This Strife: The Politics of Gender in African American Churches. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004. MultiCultural Review. V. 14 no. 2 Spring, 2005 p. 82.
  • United By Faith: The Multicultural Congregation as an Answer to the Problem of Race by Curtiss Paul DeYoung, et. al. NY: Oxford U. Press, 2003. MultiCultural Review. V. 13 no. 1 Spring, 2004 p. 84.
  • Chenu, Bruno. The Trouble I’ve Seen: The Big Book of Negro Spirituals. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2003. MultiCultural Review. V. 13 no. 1 Spring, 2004 pp. 83-84.
  • McKinney, Lara-Ellen. Christian Education in the African American Church: A Guide For Teaching Truth. Valley Forge, PA: Judson, 2003. MultiCultural Review. V. 13 no. 1 Spring, 2004 pp. 83-84.
  • The Rough Guide to Gospel. London: World Music Network, 2002. 61 minutes. CD. Multicultural Review. V. 12 no. 2 June, 2003. pp. 99-100.
  • Smith, Gregory A. (ed.) Christian Librarianship: Essays on the Integration of Faith and Profession. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2002. MultiCultural Review. V. 12 no. 2 June, 2003 pp. 75-76.

Reviews - Periodicals

  • "Multicultural Review -- Dedicated to a Better Understanding of Ethnic, Racial, and Religious Diversity." Public Libraries. V. 30, no. 6 pp. 374-375.

Research in Progress

  • “Just Under the Radar: Public Libraries and Information Literacy.” –Resubmitted to Public Libraries June 11, 2007.
  • “ Information Literacy as a Department Store: Applications For Public Youth Librarians.”Submitted to Young Adult Library Services June 11, 2007.
  • “Public Libraries + Information Literacy = Information Empowerment.”To American Libraries June 11, 2007.
  • Neighborhood Information and Cultural Education (N.I.C.E.): Public Library Instruction – Book in progress.

Presentations:

  • Participated in a panel on careers in writing and literature as part of the Senior Career Development Series at the Pingree School, South Hamilton, MA, May 18, 2007
  • “Secrets of My Success: Library Leaders of Color.” Gathering at the Waters: Embracing Our Spirits, Telling Our Stories. First Joint Conference of Librarians of Color. Sponsored by the American Indian Library Association (AILA), the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA), REFORMA: National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, and the American Library Association. Dallas, TX Oct. 14, 2006.
    • Gathering at the Waters: Embracing Our Spirits, Telling Our Stories. First Joint Conference of Librarians of Color. Sponsored by the American Indian Library Association (AILA), the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA), REFORMA: National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, and the American Library Association. Dallas, TX Oct. 14, 2006.
  • “A World of Learning: ‘Culture Shock’ Theories and Information Literacy.” Gathering at the Waters: Embracing Our Spirits, Telling Our Stories. First Joint Conference of Librarians of Color. Dallas, TX Oct. 13, 2006.
  • “Multicultural and Ethnic Children’s Literature in the U.S.: Characteristics, Trends, and Developments.” Gathering at the Waters: Embracing Our Spirits, Telling Our Stories. First Joint Conference of Librarians of Color. Dallas, TX Oct. 12, 2006.
  • “African American Resources on the Web.” Presentation for Cultural Diversity Week of URI Oct. 9, 2002
  • “African American Resources on the Web.” Presentation for Cultural Diversity Week of URI Oct. 9, 2002
  • “African American Resources on the Web.” Presentation with Jamietoria Burton for Cultural Diversity Week at URI. Oct. 3, 2001
  • “Diversity on the Web.” Presentation with Michael Havener for Cultural Diversity Week at URI. Oct. 7, 1999
  • “Building Multicultural Collections.” URI. GSLIS. Continuing Professional Development. March 11, 1999
  • “Multicultural Librarianship: Theoretical Aspects.” Culture Keeper II: Unity Through Diversity. National Conference of African American Librarians. Sponsored by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Milwaukee, WI. August 7, 1994
  • “Is There Life After High School?” on preparing high school students for college and public libraries. In-service workshop for school media specialists. Groton, CT, March 13, 1992.
  • Moderated a panel discussion on the Academic Librarians’ Perspective on Preparing High School Students For Using an Academic Library at the Annual RIEMA (Rhode Island Educational Media Association) Conference, March 2, 1992
  • Moderated a panel discussion on Bibliographic Instruction in the Business Library at the ALA Annual Conference, June 24, 1989
  • Children’s Literature Workshop. Belize Library Association. St. Catherine Academy. Belize City, Belize, July, 1981
  • Reference Workshop. Belize Library Association. St. Catherine Academy. Belize City, Belize, July, 1980
  • Workshop on Doing Children’s Library Programming on African Themes. Africa-in-Print Conference. Boston U. Boston, MA
  • Assisted with a Storyteller’s Workshop, Massachusetts Library Association, Sturbridge, MA, 1976

Consulting: (All free)

  • Teaching About Information – A web site for LSC524, that is also for the public, as well as for librarians and others who may want or need to teach themselves how to instruct. This is an outgrowth of the PT3 (Promoting Technology to Tomorrow’s Teachers) program. Launched, January, 2004. http://www.uri.edu/artsci/lsc/Faculty/gilton/Index.html
  • The A.R.K. (After School EnRichment for Kids). Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church. September 2002 to April, 2003. Started and managed a tutoring and reading program for diverse urban children aged 5-8.
  • Multiculturalism in Libraries: A (Not So Brief) Bibliography – A bibliography compiled for Prof. Jonathan S. Tryon and his LSC 503 (Collection Development) class. Sept. 11-24, 2002.
  • Children’s Literature Resources (K-3): Some Places to Start. – A bibliography and resource guide compiled for the A.R.K. (tutoring program, see above) Summer, 2002.
  • Afro-Americana: Scholarly and Popular Resources to Read, Watch, Experience, and Enjoy.   – A major unannotated bibliography compiled for Dr. Bernard LaFayette. November 21, 2001 to January 27, 2002. Book proposal submitted to Greenwood, February, 2002.
  • Library. First Church of God. Peace Dale, RI.   Directed the reorganization and the reopening of the library with the original church   librarian and with a committee. September, 1996 to August, 1999.
  • Project AIMS. Western Kentucky University. Program to encourage Afro-American seventh and eighth to attend college. Compiled an extensive reading list of Afro-American and general recommended reading for college-bound young people in Grades 7-12. Conducted a book talk for this group at the Bowling Green Public Library, September-December, 1987.
  • Member. Education Committee, St. Paul AME Church, Cambridge, MA. 1975-1979.  This committee oversaw the development of the Henry Buckner School. As a part of this committee, I cataloged the entire church library and developed a resource guide for a summer program for children and young people.
  • Community Minority Cultural Center, Lynn, Mass. Summer, 1975. Developed an extensive Black Studies Bibliography and Resource Guide for the Community Minority Cultural Center in Lynn, MA. This included a checklist to evaluate local public library services for minority groups, Summer, 1975.

Workshops Attended:

  • University of Rhode Island. Instructional Development Program. Teaching Fellows Program. September 1993 to June 1994.
  • University of Rhode Island. Instructional Development Program. The Inclusive Classroom: Challenges and Strategies for Dealing with Diversity. Spring 1993.
  • University of Rhode Island. Instructional Development Program. Workshop on Learning Styles and Student Development. Fall 1992.
  • University of Rhode Island. Instructional Development Program. 1992 Course Planning Workshops. September 1992.
  • Penn State University. Bibliographic Instruction Workshop: Improving Your Teaching Skills, conducted by Trish Ridgeway of the University of Pennsylvania. June 22-June 23, 1998.
  • Penn State University. ISI Training on Dialog. May 2, 1988.
  • Simmons College. Workshop on Library Service to Ethnic Groups. Conducted by Lubomyr Wynar, 1979.
  • Simmons College. Continuing Education Course on OCLC, 1979.

Memberships in Professional Organizations and Associations

  • Association of Library and Information Science Educators (ALISE) 1990 to Present
  • American Library Association, 1987 to Present
  • Association of Research and College Libraries, 1987 to Present
    • Continuing Education Committee, 1989 to 1991
      Instruction for Diverse Populations Committee, 1991 to 1995
    • Education and Behavioral Science Section, 1988 to Present
      Bibliographic Instruction for Educators Committee, 1989 to 1991
  • Reference and User Services Division, 1988 to Present
    • Business Reference in Academic Libraries Committee, 1989 to 1992
      Subcommittee on the Dallas Open Forum, January to June, 1989
  • Cornucopia of Rhode Island: A Library Community of Color – Helped to establish this organization, which had its first official meeting September 30, 2005. September, 2005 to Present
  • Massachusetts Black Librarians’ Network 1998 to Present
  • Rhode Island Library Association, 1998 to Present
  • Special Libraries Association, 1982-1983
  • Pittsburgh Chapter, 1982-1983
  • Business and Finance Division, 1982-1983
  • American Society for Information Science, 1982-1983
  • Belize Library Association, 1979-1981

Institutional Activities:

Service to the College and University

University of Rhode Island

  • President’s Commission on the Status of Faculty, Staff, and Students of Color at the University of Rhode Island – Faculty Subcommittee May 2005 to Present.
  • Technology Fellow, PT3 (Promoting Technology to Tomorrow’s Teachers) Program, September 2001 to May, 2003
  • Multicultural Fellow, September, 1998 to Present.
  • Association of Religion in Intellectual Life (ARIL), September, 1994 to September, 2000
  • Faculty Senate, January 1992 to June 1992; September 1995 to December 1995.
  • Graduate School Committee on Fellowships and Scholarships. January 1996 to March 1997
  • Graduate School. Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, Research, and Service. Search Committee. November, 1996-June, 1997.
  • Graduate School of Library and Information Studies (GSLIS) Faculty Committee
    • Admissions, September 1996 to Present
      • Chair, September 2000 to Present
    • Advisory Committee, September 2000 to September 2003
    • Annual Gathering, September 1992 to September 1996; September 1997 to September 2000;September 2007 to present.
      • Chair, September 1993-September 1996; September 1997 to September 2000.September 2007 to present.
    • Committee on Professional Development, September 2006 to Present, Chair, September 2006 to Present.
    • Continuing Education, January 1992-August 1993; September 1994 to September 1996
    • Curriculum Committee, September 2003 to September 2004
    • Facilities Committee, January 1997 to August 1999
    • Faculty Development Committee, September 2001 to Present
    • Faculty Liaison to the Student Alumnae Association, September 1992-August 1994,September 2006 to Present.
    • Faculty Liaison for Student Chapter of the American Library Association,March 1993-August 1994
    • Minority Recruitment, September 1995 to September 1996 (Part of Admissions Committee, September 1996- Present)
    • Professional Field Experience Coordinator, January 1994 to September 2003
    • Project Prism Co-Investigator September, 2005 to Present, 2000-2003
    • Search Committee, Information Science Professor January to June, 1996

Pennsylvania State University

  • Search Committee, Chief of Humanities and Social Sciences Department, Pattee Library, May to August 1990
  • Library Faculty Organization Council, 1990 to 1991
    • Curricular and Instructional Affairs Committee September, 1989 to 1991, Chair, 1990-1991
    • Election Committee, 1988-1989
  • Black Studies Room Committee, February 1988 to 1991
    • Coordinated exhibits February 1988 to May 1990
  • Minority Internship Committee, February 1988 to 1991
    • Chair, September 1989 to 1991
  • Committee on Cultural Diversity, September 1988 to 1990
  • Forum on Black Affairs, September, 1988 to 1990
  • Women of Color, March 1988 to 1991
    • Community Outreach Committee, July 1988 to June 1989

Western Kentucky University

  • Chair, Task Force on Fee-Based Services, September 1987 to January 1988
  • Chair, Search Committee, Bibliographic Instruction Coordinator, 1987
  • Search Committee, Law Librarian, 1986
  • Canadian Studies Committee, 1985 to 1988

Service to the Library

University of Rhode Island

  • Ad-Hoc Committee on Religious and Cultural Celebrations in University Libraries. January to June, 1996
  • University College General Education Committee. Library Skills Subcommittee. November 1994 to May 1995
Service to the Community

Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Newport, RI

  • Women’s Missionary Society, September, 1993 to June, 1995; December 2000 to Present
    • Young People’s and Children’s Division (YPD) Director. September 1993 to 1995
    • Secretary. September 2002 to January, 2007.
  • Quarterly Conference, Secretary, September 2000 to Present
  • Sunday School Committee, February   - December, 2002
  • Director of the Village (Mass Choir) -- July, 2005 to Present.
  • Junior Choir Director, September 1993 to 1995; September 2000 to December 2002
  • Organist. June 2000 to Present
  • Substitute Organist. September 1993 to 1995

First Church of God, Peace Dale, RI

  • Board of Christian Education
    • Library. Coordinator, September 1996 to August 1999
    • Youth Ministry Coordinator. July 1996 to July 1998
    • Junior Church (Pre-school class during church), September 1996 to March 1998
    • Vacation Bible School, August, 1999

St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Bellefonte, PA

  • Women’s Missionary Society
    • Secretary. September 1988-September 1991
    • YPD Director. July 1990 to December 1991
  • Coordinated Nursery Program. August 1989 to December 1991
  • Gospel Choir Director. May 1988 to December 1991
  • Substitute Organist. April 1990 to December 1991

Taylor Chapel A.M.E. Church. Bowling Green, KY

  • Women’s Missionary Society
    • YPD Director. September 1986 to September 1987

South County Coalition Against Racism

July 1997 to Present

Experience Abroad

Worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Belize, Central America for two years. Have traveled in Bermuda, Canada, Switzerland, Senegal, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
 
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881,
USA 1-401-874-1000
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