ACRL Campaign Blog

Strengthening ACRL Through Practical, Purposeful Mentoring

Mentoring is one of the most effective ways to help people feel connected and confident in a professional association. As I run for ACRL Vice President/President-Elect, a central part of my platform is improving and expanding mentoring across ACRL so that all members—whether new to the association or long established—can find meaningful pathways to participate, contribute, and grow.

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When the Work Shifts Downward: Why Academic Librarians Need a New Era of Professional Advocacy

The story begins inside a school district office in Nomadland, where Jen, a library assistant, watches her boss quietly pack up her desk for the last time. The boss has a master’s degree, decades of experience, and a reputation for deep institutional wisdom. The district calls it a “transition.” Jen calls it what it is: her boss was pushed into retirement so that someone lower paid could take the same job under a different title.

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The Strength of a Professional Association: Reflections on ACRL

When I think about the strength of a professional association like ACRL, I come back to a simple truth: it keeps me from working in an echo chamber of my own thoughts. In the daily work of academic librarianship—especially in smaller or more siloed settings—it is easy to feel isolated. ACRL has been the antidote to that isolation for me.

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In the Spotlight

Goldey-Beacom College’s Hirons Library earns national recognition for teaching ethical AI use

Rusty Michalak

About Me

I have over 20 years of experience working in special (law & health sciences) libraries, as well as, in small, mid-and-large sized academic libraries. I have been working in library administration for more than a 15 years. I consult on inclusive knowledge.

On my website you can find a list of my publications and essays, and information about my education. Below you can find information about my research topics, published works, and service and awards.

 

Research Topics

I am more than happy to chat with you on any or all of the following topics:

  • artificial intelligence
  • library leadership & management,
  • project management,
  • library budgets and negotiating contracts with vendors,
  • library assessment,
  • textbook affordability,
  • privacy,
  • information literacy,
  • archives and digital collections, 
  • collection management,
  • implementation of library technology  & edtech tools,
  • library space design with technology. 

I write at the intersection of information literacy, library leadership, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence in academic libraries. My work explores how to assess and strengthen students’ research and critical thinking skills, prevent academic plagiarism, and design effective onboarding programs that foster long-term engagement. I also focus on enhancing library services through user-centered initiatives like self-paced orientations, digital primary source engagement, and technology-driven solutions that bridge in-person and virtual learning. By integrating ethical AI policy-making and practical applications of emerging technologies, I empower librarians to lead with innovation, equity, and adaptability—ensuring that libraries remain essential partners in advancing academic success and shaping the future of higher education.

Published Works

I regularly publish a column in the Journal of Library Administration called PosIT, which delves into all aspects of library-related information technologies and knowledge management used to connect users to information resources, including data preparation, discovery, delivery, and preservation. You can browse what I wrote by visiting my publication's page.

I have published a few edited books on library topics. Topics include onboarding and plagiarism with Nova Science Publishers.

Trevor A. Dawes, Jon Cawthorne and I wrote Toxic Dynamics: Disrupting, Dismantling, and Transforming Academic Library Culture for ACRL Press.

Maisha Carey and I are co-editing a forthcoming book collection on organizational learning in academic libraries, which has been submitted to ACRL Press. In addition, Karim Boughida and I are co-editing AI and Academic Libraries: Practical Strategies for Ethical Integration, Instruction, and Innovation, also with ACRL Press, which is currently in the final editing phase.

Additionally, I have published peer-reviewed articles with friends and colleagues in College & Research Libraries, Reference Services Review, the Journal of Academic Librarianship, and Technical Services Quarterly. Working collaboratively on research projects is very rewarding.

Service | Awards

In 2025, I'm honored to have won the American Library Association 2025 Innovation in Instruction Award for our work in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy. I was interviewed by Delaware Public Media, here. In 2022, I was fortunate to receive a NISO Plus 2022 Scholarship, and have begun serving on NISO committees. In 2021, ACRL DOLs Research & Publications Committee awarded us with a top 5 article on the COVID-19 Pandemic. I actively serve on ACRL committees, and have been featured in 2019 as an ACRL member of the week. I regularly present workshops and papers at the Charleston Library Conference, and in 2018, had the honor to be one of the Charleston Conference 2018 Up and Comer Award Winners. In 2016, AECT awarded us first place in the Immersive Learning Award: Linear Category for our information literacy assessment program. In 2007, the Billy E. Barnes Collection was featured as a collection of the month by CONTENTdm. I have presented with regularity at ALA annual conferences.

Learn more about Inclusive Knowledge Solutions

Check Trevor A. Dawes and my business, Inclusive Knowledge Solutions, and our blog posts by visiting our webpage.