ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A curated list of projects and papers created throughout the university of southern mississippi’s Library & Information Science Master’s Program.

Project: Graphix Group Presentation
Class: LIS 517: Literature and Related Media for Children
Link: https://youtu.be/sUMw4o_RBfc

Reflection: This project, created for my Children’s Literature class, tasked my group with analyzing an author or publishing company/group that has historical significance within the realm of children’s literature. We chose to study the works of Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic that is dedicated to publishing graphic novels for children and young adults. The project was twofold: discuss the history of the topic (graphic novels) and analyze the current iteration (Graphix). We found that comics and graphic novels have an incredible history dating back to the late 19th century. While comics were often thought of as unserious and/or created only for children, we found that graphic novels have become increasingly popular over the decades, and newer research studies have shown that reading graphic novels has just as much literary, educational, and academic value as reading a novel without images. Graphic novels have become much more prevalent and accepted in our society over the years thanks to publishers like Graphix who publish exciting, well-written stories that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

This project made me look at graphic novels and comics in a new light, and I’m now armed with the knowledge that a kid who reads comics isn’t slacking or lazy, they just prefer a different format!

Project: Resource List - Fractured Fairy Tales
Class: LIS 517: Literature & Related Media for Children
Link: View here

Reflection: This resource list, created for a USM class, contains various media that is appropriate for young children. The list focuses specifically on the genre of fractured fairy tale, which “are stories that, quite literally, break the rules of normal fairy tales.” This genre, which has grown in popularity over the years, appeals to children who may be curious about classic fairy tales but who may be looking for a fresh take on the story, or perhaps just looking for something a little less gruesome than the original Grimm version. The list contains multiple award-winning books. such as The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, as well as films, video games, and websites. Each resource on this list was curated with intention, so all titles are appropriate for children whose ages range from 6 to 12.
This project was a great exercise in curating a list of resources for a specific topic for a specific age group. These types of lists are becoming more useful to everyone, but especially parents, who are looking for detailed recommendations.

Project: Great Graphic Novels/BookTalk: Speak
Class: LIS 518: Literature & Media for Young Adults
Link: https://youtu.be/0_t12zfOyDQ?si=qCPeDHaGWmT-6YNi 

Reflection: In this project, students were asked to find a graphic novel appropriate for young adults and then to reflect on the themes. We were also asked to create a video presentation explaining these themes and why the title was chosen. I chose the graphic novelization of the popular book Speak, which deals with tough subjects such as isolation, depression, and sexual assault - all of which are experienced by the main character, who is only thirteen years old. I was drawn to this version because I was a massive fan of the original novel when I was thirteen. The art of the graphic novel helps illustrate both the funny and tragic aspects of the story and is a new way to introduce new generations to it. The presentation discusses the plot, themes, genres, and the appropriate age recommended to begin reading this story.

This was an excellent exercise in finding book recommendations for a specific audience, and I felt much more comfortable in finding works to recommend in general after completing this project.

Project: Resource List - Magic in Young Adult Fiction
Class: LIS 518: Literature & Media for Young Adults
Link: View here

Reflection: This page contains various media appropriate for children ages 13-17, specifically within the fantasy/magical users genre. This mini libguide was created for a USM class to aid librarians, teachers, or young readers in finding recommendations for books, films, video games, and even websites. These resources were hand-selected by me from reputable sources and booklists that can be consumed by any young person interested in magic or high fantasy. All of the resources contained in this list are award-winners in some shape or form, and have been vetted by professionals to ensure their appropriateness for the age group.

This project challenged me to be very selective when choosing resources, with the intention that I would have to back up or explain why they were selected. I also had to be very cognizant of the age group as teens’ tastes are all different and they can change quickly.

Reflection: This project, created for a Youth Programming class, challenged students to design an entire year’s worth of programming that could be used in a public library. The task was to create twelve unique programs for a specific age group that could all fit within a set budget. For this project, I focused on ensuring a variety of activities. Some are hands-on and some are more technology-based, like the origami craft versus an introduction to photo editing. Other programs are very group-oriented and require socializing, like the original murder mystery party, while some are more independent and self-driven, such as the DIY book safe. There needed to be a mix of activities because as these are all focused on teens, we as librarians should be cognizant that not every person is going to be attracted to the same types of activities. Working within a budget was also a fun challenge, as it forced me to find creative yet economical ways to fund these projects.

This project helped me understand the organization, thought, and care that goes into creating unique library programs. I now feel confident that I could take a program from the planning stages through day-of execution.

Project: Historical Research Paper: J.R.R. Tolkien: An Analysis of Original Works and Related Media in the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection
Class: LIS 634: History of Children’s Literature
Link: View here

Reflection: This paper was part of an assignment for my History of Children’s Literature class and focuses on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien within the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi Library. This was an exercise to strengthen students’ knowledge of bibliometrics and content analysis. My particular analysis focused on the works of Tolkien, the author famous for penning The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. I found that not only are there many works by Tolkien within the de Grummond collection, but there are other collections around the world dedicated to Tolkien’s works, like Marquette University in Michigan, which “is believed to be the largest single body of secondary sources on Tolkien ever to be developed.”

This project gave me more insight into bibliometrics and research studies as a whole, including a literature review and research questions. Because of projects like this one, I felt comfortable and confident once I started my final Master’s Research Project.

Project: Current Issues in Library & Information Science: A History of Book Bans, Challenges, and Responses in US Libraries
Class: LIS 636: Foundations of Library & Information Science
Link: https://youtu.be/i-oPHxDVHN8?si=V9zyl2_wXFUdaRfg 

Reflection: This assignment asked students to create a presentation focusing on a particular topic affecting libraries in the current day and age. I chose to research the history of book bans and challenges, and how libraries are responding to the same issues today. I found that books have been challenged since before the US was even a country and that some of the most frequently banned books are often those of great social impact and significance (for example, The Color Purple, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, or nearly anything by Mark Twain). For the most part, libraries and librarians have stood on the side of protecting all materials in their collections and the public’s right to read them. However, since the ALA began its Banned Book Week in 1982, they have been able to gather more concrete statistics of bans and challenges, allowing them to be much more proactive in pushing back against those challenges.

This project gave me much greater insight into how and when certain books have been challenged and some of the ways that library professionals have fought against censorship.