Abigail Phillips

Assistant Professor

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, Information Studies,                  2016
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Specialist, Library and Information Studies,                  2014
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Focus: Leadership and Management

Master of Science, Library and Information Studies,    2008
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Focus: Children and Youth Services

Bachelor of Arts, Major: Anthropology                          2006
University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Bio

In August 2018, I joined the School of Information Studies (SOIS) as an assistant professor. My research interests encompass neurodiversity, disability, accessibility, social media, cyberbullying, empathy, librarianship, libraries, and making. In 2016, I began a Post Doctoral Fellowship at Utah State University's Department of Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences (ITLS), where I explored makerspaces in public and school libraries, particularly engaging with young makers aged 12-18.

I received my PhD in Information Science from the School of Information at Florida State University in the Spring of 2016. Before I began the PhD program, I worked as public librarian at a small, rural library system in Southwest Georgia. My work with young adults as a librarian is the root of my research interest in this population. I continue to be a strong advocate for school and public libraries in our communities. But it’s not hard to advocate for libraries who serve as important and accessible public spaces within our communities.

Originally from Southwest Georgia, I grew up in a small, obscure rural town, approximately ~3 hours southwest of Atlanta. I obtained my BA in anthropology and history from the University of Georgia in 2006 and completed my MLIS at FSU with a focus on children and youth services in 2008. After working as a public librarian for four years, I returned to FSU to pursue a PhD in Information Science. Along the way, I also earned my SLIS (Specialist in Library and Information Studies) with a concentration in leadership and management, followed by my PhD. It's been quite an unexpected journey, but here we are!

Courses Taught

INFOST 501: Foundations of Library and Information Science
INFOST 520: Managing Library Collections
INFOST 736: The Public Library
INFOST 891: Trauma Informed Librarianship

Sample Publications

BOOKS:

Phillips, A. (under review). Working in the library: Confronting challenges and supporting colleagues. New York, NY: Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited.

Lee, V. R. & Phillips. A (Eds.). (in press). Reconceptualizing libraries: Possibilities for information and learning sciences. Abington, U.K.: Routledge

ARTICLES IN REFEREED JOURNALS:

Anderson, A, & Phillips, A. (2023). Experiences, opportunities, and areas for improvement for adults with disabilities in public library makerspaces. Library Quarterly, 93(4), 379-398.

Anderson, A., Phillips, A., & Brenner, M. (2022). Meeting them where they are: Online LIS students and mental health supports. Library Quarterly, 92(4), 379-387.

Phillips, A. (2022). An uneasy, awkward, yet meaningful experience: A reflection on a face-to-face to online synchronous COVID-19 course transition. Journal of Library and Information Science Education, 63(2), 120-125.

Phillips, A. (2022). #ProtectLibraryWorkers: Librarian and Library Workers Responses to Library Closures, an Empathetic Study. Library Quarterly, 91(3), 250-253.

Meter, D.J., Budziszewski, R., Phillips, A. et al. (2021). A qualitative exploration of college students’ perceptions of cyberbullying. TechTrends.

Phillips, A., & Anderson, A. (2020). Cyberbullying, digital citizenship, and youth with Autism: LIS education as a piece in the puzzle. Library Quarterly.