Major: M.S. Library Science and a GAC in Instructional Design and Technology

Winner of the 2023 Lis and Philip Turner Endowed Paper Award

Abbie: I am currently pursuing a master's degree in library science and a graduate academic certification in instructional design and technology. I will be graduating in December of this year. After completing my master's, my goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in Learning Technologies. 

The focus of my research paper, titled "Discouraging Freedom in the Library," is censorship, book bans, and their impact on schools, children, and academia. This paper was originally written in the fall of 2022 as part of my core curriculum class, Information and Knowledge Professions, and was subsequently published in The Serials Librarian journal. 

I am deeply honored to be awarded the Lis and Philip Turner Endowed Paper Award. This paper examines the pervasive issue of book banning in schools and libraries across the United States, with a specific focus on its impact on children and young adult literature. My goal was/is to encourage open dialogue and promote the importance of preserving intellectual freedom in all academia for the benefit of current and future generations. I appreciate the opportunity to highlight this topic. 

In my free time, I work as a Graduate Services Assistant at Willis Library. In this role, I am head over the Scholar Speak UNT Libraries blog. I also have conducted a graduate workshop on effective scholarly searching titled "Google Like A Scholar." I have presented my research on book bans at the 2023 Student Symposium. 

I serve on the international student board for Information Matters, under ASIS&T, and contribute to their digital-only communication translational forum in the professional development section. Since February, I have published five articles, notably in C&RL News and the Applied Sciences Journal. Excitingly, I received my first citation this month, marking a milestone in my academic journey.  

A poster presentation I have collaborated on has been accepted to be presented at the Association for Library and Information Science Education conference this fall. It is titled, " A Role for Emerging Technology in Dismantling Biases in Library and Information Science Education."

I have been honored with the Mary Phillips Scholarship from UNT and was recognized for my student accomplishments in January of this year. 

I am an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Library Association, the Association of Educational Communications and Technologies, and the Association of College and Research. I am also a member of UNT Library and Information Sciences Student Association.