Tiffani R. Conner
About Me
Bio
Resume
Diversity
Digital Projects
Information Science
Educational Psychology

My Work
Sociology Liaison
Data Librarianship
Human Rights Liaison
Rainbow Center Liaison

BIO

I am a Reference Librarian at the University of Connecticut. My liaison responsibilities include Sociology, Human Rights, Rainbow Center, and the Roper Center for Public Opinion.

My interests in Information Sciences include digital librarianship, data librarianship, administration and management, diversity in libraries, and scholarly publishing. Before coming to UConn, I worked for the University of Tennessee (UT) Libraries on the Great Smoky Mountains Regional Project and the Tennessee Authors project. I have an MS in Information Sciences, an MS in Educational Psychology, with a concentration in Adult Education, and a BA in Sociology, with a concentration in Environment & Society.

Before returning to graduate school, I worked as a Radiological Technician (RadTech) / Health Physics Technician (HPTech) for Safety & Ecology Corporation at FUSRAP (Manhattan Project) sites in Ohio, New Jersey and Tennessee. My interest in environmental remediation began during my bachelor's program when I took two incredible courses, Environmental Philosophy and Environmental Justice, and wrote a term paper that investigated the sociological and environmental issues surrounding the Superfund site David Witherspoon, Inc., a scrap metal recycling firm in Vestal, TN.

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DIVERSITY

UConn Diversity

Diversity Plan Task Force The UConn Libraries have recently formed a task force to create a diversity plan for the libraries. I am one of four members on this task force. We are tasked to develop a "Unit-Based Diversity Plan", the goals of which are to be achievable in one calendar year. As part of the plan, I will be conducting a Diversity Climate Assessment for the libraries.

Rainbow Center Library Project I have been working with the University of Connecticut Rainbow Center to create online access to their library resources. The Rainbow Center library contains numerous resources concerning Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender issues. This project was initially a pilot collection used to investigate the range of digital library collections that could be supported by Endeavor's EnCompass ERA product. After testing we deemed that access was best served by adding the records into the UConn Libraries Catalog--HOMER. I am currently working with the Rainbow Center and Metadata and Cataloguing Services to add these records using a variety of metadata schemes.

Human Rights During the Fall 2005 Human Rights Institute Conference, Economic Rights: Conceptual, Measurement, and Policy Issues, I worked with the Economic Rights Outreach Committee to offer a host of activities for UConn students and the surrounding community. I lead the film series committee, assisted with the Fair Trade Fair and was a judge for the Student Paper Contest.

Together with a small group of faculty, I am developing the Human Rights Film Collection as well as developing an Ownership and Access Plan, I provided evaluative information for a report to the Provost on the level of library support for a graduate certificate and research in Labor Rights, have encoded the Oliver Tambo Collection-part of the African National Congress Collection, and am beginning the creation of a finding aid for the manuscript portion of the Human Rights Internet collection at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center.

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University of Tennessee Libraries' Diversity Committee
I was a member of this committee since it began in 2001. Starting such a committee was a learning experience, and definitely worth every minute. The committee works together to educate themselves as well as provide fun and informative programs for the library staff, UT campus, and the overall community.

Diversity Committee Professional Activities
This page contains information on the professional activities of the committee. Through these activities, I began to build a solid research foundation concerning diversity in libraries.

Climate Assessment Survey
The diversity committee felt that it was imperative to learn about the UT Libraries climate prior to planning any diversity activities. Since each organizational environment has unique, historical issues concerning diversity, the committee decided to conduct a research project to assist in planning. Together with Molly Royse and Tamara Miller we have presented our research at various conferences, and are currently completing an article about the project.

Geier Consent Decree Summary
A subcommittee of the diversity committee is working with other librarians and professionals to begin collecting materials and oral histories regarding the Geier Consent Decree. While on this subcommittee, I learned some of the processes involved in collecting and archiving oral histories.

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Diversity Links of interest

This is a list of diversity links that are interesting to me. Many of the sites present diversity to their constituents in unique, dynamic and thoughtful ways. This list is in no way exclusive, these are simply sites that were visually appealing or informationally robust.

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DIGITAL PROJECTS

Here are links to some projects I worked on for my information sciences courses. I had various roles to play with each one, including project team member, web site redesigner, script & web page editor, and sole creator.

    Oliver Tambo Papers MSS 2000-0144
    This collection is part of the African National Conference Papers housed, on microfilm, in the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center at the University of Connecticut. Throughout the Fall 2005 semester, I encoded the original finding aid, to the collection housed at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa, in order to bring more Human Rights related collections into a digital format.

    Liaison Quest Team
    This library team is charged with investigating the Endeavor EnCompass product (locally named Quest) for viability as a digital library management tool.

    Rainbow Center Library Project
    This project aims to provide online access to the 2000+ title library held by the Rainbow Center at the University of Connecticut.

    Project Management Plan: William Cox Cochran Digital Photograph Collection
    (Page #s off due to suppression of confidential information). This was the final paper I created for my IS 565 Digital Libraries course, the UT Libraries Digital Library Center, and the Great Smoky Mountains Regional Project, April 2004. (PDF link)

    Pi Beta Phi Settlement School
    This is a website created to support an IMLS grant proposal. The UT Libraries will be working with Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN on this project.

    Electronic Resources: Pricing Models and Economic Decisions for Academic Libraries
    This is a term paper I wrote for my Information Network Applications course, taught by Dr. Gretchen Whitney, Fall 2003.

    Albert "Dutch" Roth Digital Photograph Collection
    This collection of Great Smoky Mountains photographs is a digital project undertaken in 2003 by the UT Libraries. As a member of the project team, I created authority terms, finalized the image database, and collaborated with the team on content, design, and search capabilities.

    Great Smoky Mountains Regional Project
    This is the new (2004) Smokies Project web site. Screen captures showing the "old look" for this site are here. I originally redesigned this site as a project for my Information Network Applications class.

    Tennessee Authors: Past & Present
    I was the Editorial Assistant for this database. My tasks were to research each author, compile the bibliographic and biographical information, find Internet sources, write a short biography, and put this information into the database.

    Career Night 2003
    This is the first web page I actually completed. It was designed for the UT School of Information Sciences Career Night 2003 program.

    Cataloging Project (20Mb) 
    This is a QuickTime movie created for my Information Access & Retrieval class, Fall 2002. Our group decided we'd like to challenge ourselves, both with the cataloging project - selecting a manuscript collection from Special Collections, and with the technology - learning iMovie as we went. Countless hours were spent writing the script, scanning and cropping images, and creating our presentation.
    quicktime

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INFORMATION SCIENCE

Both my work at the UT Libraries and my coursework at the UT School of Information Sciences allowed me to explore the interconnectedness of societal issues across disciplines. I found that information science allows me to pursue my multidisciplinary interests and has opened up new research venues regarding the effects of access to information on social development and problems. Below are some links to professional groups that I am involved with in one form or fashion.

Professional links of interest:

Digital Library links of interest:

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EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

I completed my MS in Educational Psychology, at the University of Tennessee Department of Educational Psychology & Counseling, in December 2001. During this program I studied Adult Education, especially facilitation of adult learning, and had the opportunity to teach at a private high school not far from campus. The experience was eye-opening, as was the coursework. I grew to appreciate a number of different educational theories and to explore the writings of Miles Horton, Paulo Friere, and Stephen Brookfield, to name a few.
    Laurel High School & Knoxville Music History Mural
    While pursuing my masters degree, I worked at Laurel High School teaching two courses. Below are detail pictures from a 64-foot mural, located in the Old City, created by Chroma Artists Walt Fieldsa, Randall Starnes, and Ken Britton, with assistance from myself and the Mural Projects art students.

    Richard Tryhall Detail 1
    This detail image shows Grace Moore, Richard Tryhall, Bertha Walburn Clark, Willie Sievers, Donald Brown, Tina Turner, and Jimmy Martin.

    Richard Tryhall Detail 2
    This detail image shows the above artists and includes Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, Archie Campbell, Ida Cox, Everly Brothers, Martha Carson and more.

    Walt Fieldsa's Website
    Here is an image of the full mural with the accompanying legend.

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Adult Education sites of interest:
    American Association for Adult and Continuing Education
    AAACE is the premier association in the field of adult education. They publish books, booklets and monographs, as well as Adult Learning and Adult Education Quarterly.

    The BizTech Network
    A site with many links to information on Knowledge Management, Organizational Learning, and Learning Organizations.

    The Cambridge Center for Adult Education
    Located in Harvard Square, this non-profit organization offers adult education to individuals who wish to "explore new educational areas and develop their abilities."

    Collaborative Learning
    This site provides a basic introduction to collaborative learning approaches.

    Highlander Research and Education Center
    Highlander was established in 1932 the premise behind this center was as radical as getting people to talk, face-to-face, over food. For more information on the history of Highlander and Myles Horton, I recommend We Make the Road by Walking: Conversations on Education and Social Change by Paulo Friere and Myles Horton, and Unearthing the Seeds of Fire: The Idea of Highlander, available from the Highlander Bookstore.

    New Horizons in Adult Education
    New Horizons is a scholarly electronic journal focusing on research and ideas in adult education.

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SOCIOLOGY LIAISON

Part of my job includes being a liaison to the Department of Sociology. I provide instruction, consultation, and collection development for sociology and criminology. Two discipline specific guides I updated and redesigned are the Sociology and Criminology and Criminal Justice subject guides.

Sociology and Criminology links of interest:

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DATA LIBRARIANSHIP

I've recently been appointed Data Services Coordinator for the UConn Libraries. This stems from my work with the SSDTT and my initial NGSDS proposal (both below) beginning in November 2004. This new service, titled Social Science and GeoSpatial Data Services (SSGS) will provide both numeric and geospatial data reference services to the university population. I have been putting my adult education knowledge to practical use in this venture by conducting self-directed learning activities in GIS, Geography and Statistics, as well as attending several training opportunities.

Numeric & Geo-Spatial Data Services
In February 2005, I delivered a presentation to the libraries Leadership Council entitled, the Numeric & Geo-Spatial Data Services (NGSDS) Proposal (executive summary). Following this report, the Social Science Data Task Team was formed within the Research & Information Services Area. I serve as the team leader and we are currently identifying and developing several aspects of the data service for UConn libraries including partnership opportunities, equipment and spatial plans, and training and education for the library staff and the UConn community. I presented this proposal, entitled Establishing a Data Service: The Numeric & GeoSpatial Data Service Proposal (powerpoint presentation) at the International Association for Social Science Information Service & Technology (IASSIST) 2005 Conference

Social Science Data Task Team (SSDTT) Report to Leadership Council
In January 2006 I delivered the Social Science Data Task Team report (powerpoint presentation) to UConn Libraries' Leadership Council. This report detailed the training, personnel, instruction, and equipment needs to create a dynamic and team-based approach to providing a data service within the libraries. The SSDTT plan was endorsed and we are currently planning training opportunities, a workshop series, methods for envolving the regional campus libraries, and engaging in more detailed discussions with potential partners on campus.

Self-directed learning activities:

    Books and Selected Reading
    Data Basics: An Introductory Text, unpublished manuscript by Jim Jacobs, Chuck Humphreys and Diane Geraci (used in Providing Social Science Data Services ICPSR Summer Program workshop)
    Damned Lies and Statistics: Untangling Numbers from the Media, Politicians, and Activists, by Joel Best (University of California Press, 2001)
    Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems, by Michael N. DeMers (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997)
    Getting Started with Geographic Information Systems, by Keith C. Clarke (Prentice Hall, 1997)
    History of Geographic Information Systems: Perspectives from the Pioneers, edited by Timothy W. Foresman (Prentice Hall, 1998)
    Introductory Readings in Geographic Information Systems, edited by Donna J. Pequet and Duane F. Marble (Taylor and Francis, 1990)
    Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics: The Manipulation of Public Opinion in America, by Micheal Wheeler (Liveright, 1976)
    Map Librarianship: An Introduction, by Mary Lynette Larsgaard (Libraries Unlimited, 1987, 2nd ed)
    More Damned Lies and Statistics: How Numbers Confuse Public Issues, by Joel Best (University of California Press, 2004)
    Spatially Integrated Social Science, edited by M. Goodchild and D. Janelle (Oxford University Press, 2004)

    Articles (selected)
    Argentati, Carolyn D. 1997. "Expanding horizons for GIS services in Academic Libraries." Journal of Academic Librarianship 23(6): 463-468
    Corti, Louise. 1999. "Text, Sound and Videotape: The Future of Qualitative Data in the Global Network." IASSIST Quarterly 23(Summer): 18-25
    Fienberg, Stephen E. 1997. "A Glimpse at the Future of Social Science Statistical Data: new forms of data analysis, new types of access, and new issues for data providers. IASSIST Quarterly 21(Summer): 8-11
    French, Mary. 2000. "The ARL GIS Literacy Project: Support for Government Data Services in the Digital Library." IASSIST Quarterly 24(Spring): 19-23
    Hyon-Sook, Suh and Angela Lee. 1999. "Embracing GIS Services in Libraries: The Washington State University Experience." Reference Librarian 64: 125-137
    IASSIST Quarterly. 2004. Special Issue: Developing Statistical Literacy 28(2/3)
    Kowal, Kimberly C. 2002. "Tapping the Web for GIS and Mapping Technologies: For All Levels of Libraries and Users." Information Technology & Libraries 21(3): 109-114
    Lamont, Melissa. 1997. "Managing geospatial data and services." Journal of Academic Librarianship 23(6): 469-474
    Martindale, Jaime. 2004. "Geographic Information Systems Librarianship: Suggestions for Entry-Level Academic Professionals." Journal of Academic Librarianship 30(1): 67-72
    Mochmann, Ekkehard and Lorenz Gräf. 1996. "Facilitating Access to Comparative Data." IASSIST Quarterly 20(Winter): 4-12
    Norris, Janice G. and Elka Tenner. 2000. "GIS in Academic Business Libraries: The Future." Journal of Business & Finance Librarianship 6(1): 23-39
    Obermeyer, Nancy and John A. Shuler. 2001. "Spatial Data and Data Centers." Journal of Academic Librarianship 27(5): 391-394
    Paris, Julia Dawn. 1996. "The Need to Train Librarians in Data Related Issues." IASSIST Quarterly 20(Summer): 6-11
    Shuler, John. 2003. "On and Off the Grid: Geographic Information Science & Technology and Academic Libraries." Journal of Academic Librarianship 29(5): 327-329
    Speigel, Shaun and Kinikin, Janae. 2004. "Promoting Geographic Information System Usage Across Campus." Computers in Libraries 24(5): 10-16
    Tang, Jinhong. 1998. "The expanding roles of librarians for the new millenium." IASSIST Quarterly 22(Spring): 19-23
    The Cartographic Journal. 2005. Map Curator's Group Special Issue 42(3)
    Wandschneider, Bo and Doug Horne. 1998. "Establishing a Data Resource Centre: Experiences at the University of Guelph." IASSIST Quarterly 22(Summer): 4-12

    Training, Workshops and Websites
    Introduction to ArcGIS, ESRI Training, April/May 2006
    Introduction to GIS, IASSIST Preconference Workshop, May 2006
    Statistical Literacy and Learning Objects, IASSIST Preconference Workshop, May 2006
    ARGUS: Activities and Readings in the Geography of the United States, CSISS, April/May 2006
    GIS.com: The Guide to Geographic Information Services, April/May 2006
    GIS Cookbook, CSISS, April/May 2006
    SETUPS, Supplementary Empirical Teaching Units in Political Science, ICPSR, University of Michigan, May 2006
    SIMI, Site for Instructional Materials and Information, ICPSR, University of Michigan, April 2006

Links to some library data sites of interest:

    DataLink, Roper Center
    DPLS, Wisconsin- Madison
    ICPSR, Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research, University of Michigan
    MAGIC, Map and Geographic Information Center, University of Connecticut
    Numeric Data Services, Harvard University
    Odum Institute, UNC Chapel Hill

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HUMAN RIGHTS LIAISON

Part of my job includes being a liaison to Human Rights. UConn has an undergraduate minor in Human Rights, hosts the Human Rights Institute, and the UNESCO Chair & Institute for Comparative Human Rights. Thus far I've developed a Human Rights Subject Page, am building a Human Rights Film Library collection, and participate with the Human Rights Institute conferences as a volunteer and member of the Economic Rights Outreach Committee.

To expedite the online availability of numerous human rights related collections held at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, I have encoded the Oliver Tambo Papers collection and am currently developing a finding aid for the manuscript portion of the Human Rights Internet Collection, a recent addition to the Dodd Center.

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RAINBOW CENTER LIAISON

I am also the Liaison to the Rainbow Center. The Rainbow Center is a cultural center on campus that offers services and support to GLBT persons and supporters. The Center has a large library and one of my current projects is to work with them to create a searchable interface for this library. The Rainbow Center library project is currently slated to be added to the library's OPAC, HOMER during the Spring 2006 semester. I am working with the center to create usable records for their holdings and to train their student employees on standard cataloguing and metadata practices for this collection's continued growth in the future. I created a GLBT Studies Subject Guide to help the many students and faculty studying this topic and routinely teach library instruction session on GLBT resource location and evaluation.

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Created by Tiffani R. Conner October 2003, last updated 9-may-06 15:00.