Sara D. Miller
Librarian for Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning Initiatives
Michigan State University Libraries
366 W. Circle Drive, E119B, East Lansing, MI 48824 (517) 884-0835 smiller@mail.lib.msu.edu
CURRICULUM VITA
SUMMARY
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Focused on shaping inquiring, information literate learners
A proponent of student-centered teaching and learning
Enthusiastic dedication to public services
Skilled institutional collaborator and facilitator with experience integrating information literacy
successfully into the university curriculum
Well-versed in assessment and demonstrating the value of academic libraries in the context of
student learning
EDUCATION
Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
Master of Library and Information Science, Reference Services
August 2005
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Oboe Performance
May 1996
Other Graduate Coursework
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri
Coursework for Master of Divinity, Collegiate Ministries
1999-2001
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Coursework for Master of Fine Arts, Vocal Performance
1998-1999
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Association of College and Research Libraries, Information Literacy Immersion Program, Teacher Track,
Winnipeg, Canada August 2007
Association of College and Research Libraries, Information Literacy Immersion Program, Assessment Track,
Nashville, TN November 2011
Association of College and Research Libraries, Information Literacy Immersion Program, Practical
Management Track, Indianapolis, IN April 2013
FELLOWSHIPS, GRANTS, AND AWARDS
Sara D. Miller, Curriculum Vita. page 2
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ACH (Association for Computers and the Humanities) Minigrant with Thomas G. Padilla, Hailey
Mooney, and Bobby L. Smiley, Michigan State University Libraries, “Library-Led DH
Pedagogy: Modeling Paths Toward Information and Data Literacy,” 2014
ACRL Annual Conference, 2013 People’s Choice Awards Honorable Mention for workshop
“Disciplinary Literacy in First-Year Writing Courses: A Collaborative Context For Critical
Information Literacy Instruction.”
2009-2010 Lilly Teaching Fellow, Office of Faculty and Organizational Development,
Michigan State University
The Lilly Fellows program is an intensive, yearlong teaching and learning seminar for early career
faculty at Michigan State University. Each year, 6-8 fellows are selected through a rigorous
application and interview process.
MSU Libraries Executive Council Staff Appreciation Award, 2009
MSU Libraries Executive Council Certificate Of Appreciation, for work on library-wide Web
site redesign project, 2008
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
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Course-integrated information literacy instruction for First Year Writing (FYW), MSU
Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures
o Integrated inquiry-based pedagogy and design, in concert with First Year Writing
program outcomes, into class sessions
o Developed a shared lesson plan for librarians working with FYW classes
o Collaborated on assignment design, curricular integration, and assessment with writing
instructors
o Trained, observed, and evaluated librarian instructors
Information literacy instruction for MSU College of Business, 2005-2006
Developed and provided general informational sessions and workshops for audiences of
faculty, staff, students, and community members
ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING
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Restructured information literacy unit goals to align with library and university outcomes
Developing library-wide information literacy assessment plan
Implemented student learning assessment plan for first year writing library sessions
Developed suite of teaching, learning, and assessment resources for MSU librarians, including
workshops, voluntary peer teaching assessment, and class activities
INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION
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Facilitator, University Committee on Liberal Learning Rubric Project, Spring 2012.
Under direction of the Provost for Undergraduate Education, facilitated a group of teaching
faculty in developing a rubric for actualizing the undergraduate learning outcome of “Analytical
Thinking”
Inaugural member, MSU College of Arts and Letters Writing Committee, 2012
Committee developed to foster communication and assessment efforts across writing programs
and campus service units
Founder and Co-Facilitator, MSU Faculty Learning Community : “Using Exploratory Writing to
Support Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning Across The Disciplines,” 2011-2013
Group consists of librarians and faculty writing instructors partnering to develop new
collaborative ideas for course-integrated information literacy
Sara D. Miller, Curriculum Vita. page 3
SCHOLARLY WORK
Research interests
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Critical and contextual information literacy, intersections of information literacy with writing,
rhetoric, and composition, outcome and inquiry-based learning, instructional design, user
experience, authentic assessment
Publications
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Forthcoming: Minkin, R., and Miller, SD. (2016) “Qualitative teaching and learning needs
assessment for a community of academic librarians.” Journal of Library Administration, 56(4).
Forthcoming: DeJoy, N., Holcomb, B., and Miller, SD. “Integrating ACRL Information Literacy
Standards and WPA Frameworks for Success in Post-Secondary Writing: Disciplinary Literacy
in First-Year Writing Courses. In The Future Scholar: Researching & Teaching the Frameworks for
Writing & Information Literacy. Ed. Randall McClure and Purdy, James P. Information Today,
2016.
Miller, S.D., DeJoy, N., and Oberdick, B.M. “RAIDS for research.” In Successful Strategies for
Teaching Undergraduate Student Research. Ed. Beth Bloom and Marta Deyrup. Rowman and
Littlefield, 2013.
Aaron, Jane E. (2010). The Little, Brown Compact Handbook Special Edition for Michigan State
University. New York: Longman. Editor: Part 7: Research Writing
Miller, S. “What’s the question? Inquiry-based learning in library instruction.” Insight: MSU
Libraries. May 2011, p1.
“Joking with the Jokers.” In Humor and Information Literacy: Practical Techniques for Library
Instruction. By Scott Sheidlower and Joshua Vossler. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood, 2011, p
66-67.
Miller, S. D. (2009). Learning Outcomes, Instructional Design, and the 50-Minute Information
Literacy Session. The Michigan Academician, 39(1), 31-45.
Miller, S. D. (2009) “The Tablet PC – Cool Toy or Useful Tool?” 36th National LOEX Conference
Proceedings, 129-132.
“They’re Already Experts.” In The Library Instruction Cookbook: 50+ Active Recipes for 1-Shot
Sessions. By Ryan Sittler and Doug Cook. Chicago: ACRL, 2009.
Conference Report: “Paste Magazine Co-Founder on the Future of Music.” Michigan Libraries.
Volume 72, Issue 6 November/December 2007, p 11.
Presentations, Workshops, and Panel Discussions
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Forthcoming: “Librarians in the messy middle: Examining critical librarianship practice through
the lens of privilege in academia.” Workshop with Rachel M. Minkin to be presented at CLAPS
2016: Critical Librarianship and Pedagogy Symposium, Tucson, AZ, February 25-26, 2016.
“Thinking Through Information Literacy in the Disciplines: Using the ACRL Framework to Make
Expert Processes Visible.” Workshop presented at the 4th Annual Indiana University Libraries
Information Literacy Colloquium, Kokomo, IN, August 7, 2015
“Information Literacy in the Disciplines: Rethinking Approaches to Student Engagement with
Information Sources.” Workshop for Michigan State University teaching faculty presented at
the 2015 Spring Institute on College Teaching and Learning, East Lansing, MI, May 11, 2015
“The Formation of an Information Literate Learner: Toward Pedagogies to Address Ontological
Obstacles in the Liminal Space.” Paper presented at CAPAL 2015: Academic Librarianship
And Critical Practice, Ottawa, ON, Canada, June 2, 2015
http://capalibrarians.org/wp/wpcontent/uploads/2015/06/7B_Miller_slides.pdf
“The Framework for Information Literacy and its Impact on Student Learning.” Panel
presentation with Craig Gibson, Merinda Kaye Hensley, Carl DiNardo, and Alan Carbery at
ACRL 2015 Conference, Portland, OR, March 27, 2015
“Sustainable teaching and learning support: Using qualitative needs assessment to uncover
teaching and learning needs of subject librarians.” Poster session with Rachel M. Minkin. ACRL
2015 Conference, Portland, OR, March 26, 2015
Sara D. Miller, Curriculum Vita. page 4
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“Digital Humanities Pedagogy in the Library.” Poster session with Thomas Padilla, Bobby
Smiley, Sara Miller, Hailey Mooney. ACRL 2015 Conference, Portland, OR, March 27, 2015
“Reframing Open Access as a Ground for Embedded Information Literacy Instruction.” Panel
presentation with Dr. Nancy DeJoy, Dr. Brian Holcomb, Dr. Joyce Meier, Benjamin Oberdick,
Rachel Minkin, and Jill Morningstar at Conference on College Composition and Communication
(CCCC), Indianapolis, IN, March 20, 2014.
“Disciplinary Literacy in First-Year Writing Courses: A Collaborative Context For Critical
Information Literacy Instruction.” Workshop presented with Dr. Nancy DeJoy and Benjamin
Oberdick at ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) Annual Conference,
Indianapolis, IN, April 11, 2013.
“Teaching Information Literacy.” Presentation with Deborah Margolis and Heidi Schroeder for
Teaching Assistant Programs, MSU Graduate School. January 31, 2013.
“Information Literacy Assessment: From the Classroom to the Curriculum.” Presentation for Art of
Liaison, Instruction, and Selection series, MSU Libraries, October 11, 2012.
“Using Exploratory Writing to Support Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning Across The
Disciplines” poster session, with MSU Faculty Learning Community. MSU Office for Faculty and
Organizational Development Spring Institute, May 15, 2012.
“Disciplinary Literacy - A Context for Learning Critical Information Literacy.” Workshop
presented with Dr. Nancy DeJoy and Benjamin Oberdick at LILAC (Librarians’ Information
Literacy Annual Conference), Glasgow, Scotland, UK, April 11, 2012.
“Align, Articulate & Advance: Mapping Your Value in a Changing Institutional Landscape.”
Presentation with Stephanie Perentesis, Library Instruction Coordinator, Michigan State
University. Michigan Library Association Annual Conference, Kalamazoo, Michigan, October
27, 2011
Panelist: MSU Office of Faculty and Organizational Development: Faculty Development for
members of the DelPHE Iraq Grant Program, Sept. 23, 2011, MSU Union.
The DelPHE Iraq grant enables two teams from Iraqi universities to come to the MSU to study
faculty development to enable them to establish teaching centers at their universities in order
to rebuild Iraqi higher education
“From Instruction Librarian to Teaching Fellow: Joining the SoTL Community” poster session,
American Library Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, June 25, 2011
“Librarian? Teacher? Navigator? Information Literacy, Library Instruction, and the Changing
Role of Librarian,” presentation with Benjamin Oberdick, Michelle Allen, and Stephanie
Perentesis, presented at LAMP (LIS Access Midwest Program), Michigan State University, May
22, 2010
Report on “Assessing Collaboration” project and inquiry-based learning outcomes, with Dr.
Nancy DeJoy, Director, MSU Tier I Writing Program. Presented for Fixed-Term Faculty
Workshop of Tier I Writing Instructors, Michigan State University, May 19, 2010.
“Assessing Collaboration: The effect of pedagogical alignment and shared learning outcomes
for information literacy instruction in first year writing classes” poster session, MSU Lilly
Teaching Fellows Poster Presentation, Michigan State University, May 29, 2010
“Assessing Collaboration: The effect of pedagogical alignment and shared learning outcomes
for information literacy instruction in first year writing classes.” Presentation with Dr. Nancy
DeJoy, Director, MSU Tier I Writing Program. LILAC (Librarians’ Information Literacy Annual
Conference), Limerick, Ireland, March 20, 2010
“Delivering Library Resources and Services Through Course Management Systems.” with Kim
Farley and Suzanne Bernsten, Lansing Community College. Presented at Michigan Library
Association (MLA) Annual Conference, Lansing, Michigan, November 5, 2009
“Intentional Integration: Using Camtasia and PowerPoint to Create Information Literacy
Modules for Tier I Writing.” with Ben Oberdick. Presentation to Michigan State University
teaching faculty. Explorations in Instructional Technology Brown Bag Series, East Lansing, MI,
September 11, 2009
“Enhancing The First Year Experience (FYE) at MSU” poster session, with MSU Faculty Learning
Community on the First Year Experience. Michigan State University Office for Faculty and
Organizational Development Spring Institute, East Lansing, MI, May 19, 2009.
“Tablet Technology in Library Instruction.” Presentation at Michigan Library Association Tech
Escape, Lansing, Michigan, March 20, 2009.
Sara D. Miller, Curriculum Vita. page 5
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Panelist, “Instructional Design in the Real World” panel discussion, with Dr. Nancy DeJoy, Head
of Tier I Writing, Michigan State University. Michigan Library Association Annual Conference,
Kalamazoo, Michigan, Oct. 2008.
“Enhancing The First Year Experience (FYE) at MSU” poster session, with MSU Faculty Learning
Community on the First Year Experience. Michigan State University Office for Faculty and
Organizational Development Spring Institute, East Lansing, MI, May 13, 2008.
“The Tablet PC – Cool Toy or Useful Tool?” Presentation at LOEX Annual Conference, Oak
Brook, Illinois, May 2008.
“Learning Outcomes, Instructional Design, and the 50-Minute Information Literacy Session.”
Presented paper, Michigan Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, Kalamazoo, MI, March 7,
2008
“Keeping Up With The Literature” poster session. Michigan Library Association Academic
Libraries Day, Mt. Pleasant, MI, March 2007
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
National
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Member, American Library Association (ALA) (2007 – present)
o Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
 Instruction Section, 2008-present
 Executive Committee Member-At-Large, elected for 2015-2016
 Standards for Proficiencies for Instruction Librarians and
Coordinators Review Task Force, 2013-2016
 Member, Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT), 2008-present
 Instruction Section, Mentoring Program Committee, 2008-2010
 Instruction Section, Mentoring Continuing Education Task Force
2009-2010
 Education and Behavioral Sciences Section, 2011- present
Member, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) (2013-2014)
State: Michigan
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Member, MI-ALA (2014 – present)
o User Experience Interest Group
Member, Michigan Library Association (2007 – 2011)
o Information Literacy Round Table
o Reference Services Round Table
o Program Selection Subcommittee, MLA Annual Conference 2011
Member, Michigan Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters, 2007-2008
Institutional: Michigan State University
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Elected representative, University Committee on Liberal Learning, 2011-2015
Facilitator, University Committee on Liberal Learning Rubric Project, 2012
Elected non-college faculty representative, University Appeals Board, 2008-2011
Member, Tier I Writing Committee (Ongoing)
Inaugural member, College of Arts and Letters Writing Committee, 2012- present
Founder and Co-Facilitator, MSU Faculty Learning Community : “Using Exploratory Writing to
Support Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning Across The Disciplines,” 2011-2013
Member, Michigan State University Faculty Learning Community on the First Year Experience,
2008-2009
Mentor, MSU Human Resources M.E.N.T.O.R.S. program for new librarians, 2012-present
Mentor, MSU Spartan Shadows Mentoring Program (for first year students), 2008-2009
MSU Libraries Steering Committee, 2009-2010, 2012-2013
Sara D. Miller, Curriculum Vita. page 6
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MSU Libraries Faculty Affairs Committee, 2011-2012
Sara D. Miller, Curriculum Vita. page 7
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Librarian for Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning Initiatives (2014 – present)
Michigan State University Libraries, East Lansing, MI
 Assist in the integration of information literacy into the university-wide curriculum through
collaboration with Integrative Studies centers
 Coordinates teaching and learning training and mentoring programs for MSU librarians, including
developing and leading a Teacher Librarian Community of Practice, providing one-on-one
consultations, observations and feedback sessions , and maintaining the Information Literacy Unit’s
online teaching and learning resources
 Collaborate with library staff and campus partners to develop and administer faculty development
workshops and programs that support implementation of MSU Undergraduate Learning Outcomes
and campus-wide general education, interdisciplinary, and integrative studies curriculum revisions.
 Serve as library liaison to the Office of Faculty and Organizational Development
 Work with User Experience librarians and Head of Information Literacy to develop and maintain
effective assessment of library-wide information literacy instruction
Head of Information Literacy (2011 – 2014)
Assistant Library Instruction Coordinator (2008 – 2011)
Instruction Librarian (2006 – 2008)
Michigan State University Libraries, East Lansing, MI
 Facilitate information literacy sessions for a variety of students, faculty, and staff across
several disciplines
 Collaborate with Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Culture First Year Writing
program to integrate information literacy into the curriculum
o Created shared student learning outcomes for research
o Developed student learning assessment plan for FYW library sessions
 Provide information literacy-related consultation, resources, training, and assessment materials
for subject specialist librarians
 Revise unit goals into measurable, assessable outcomes aligned with wider institutional goals
 Develop comprehensive information literacy assessment plan for MSU Libraries
 Design and maintain online Research Basics modules
 Schedule information literacy sessions, instruction, tours, and orientations
 Primary supervision of two Information Literacy Librarians and Outreach Librarian (Librarian I),
and secondary supervision of Reference/Instruction Librarian I
 Provide face-to-face, chat, and e-mail reference service
Business Librarian (2005 – 2006, one-year appointment)
Michigan State University Libraries, East Lansing, MI
 Subject Specialist: Advertising and Marketing, including collection development and
departmental liaison responsibilities
 Taught several instruction/information literacy sessions for variety of undergraduate business
classes
 Provided face-to-face, chat, and e-mail reference service
 Developed subject research guides and online video tutorials for Simmons Choices 3 database
 Led Web site redesign effort
Library Assistant – Interlibrary Services (2001 – 2005)
Michigan State University Libraries, East Lansing, MI
 Responsible for daily processing of borrowing requests
 Citation verification of difficult or problem requests
 Provided public services and assistance to patrons
 Trained student workers
Library Assistant - Gull Lake Branch Library
(May 1999 - July 1999, concurrent with previous positions)
Michigan State University Libraries, East Lansing, MI
Sara D. Miller, Curriculum Vita. page 8
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Temporarily maintained operations and services at a small branch library in the absence of
permanent staff
Responsible for reference, circulation, interlibrary loan, serial and monograph processing,
binding preparation, shelving, and document delivery
Collegiate Ministry Staff (1999 – 2001)
Michigan State University Christian Challenge, East Lansing, MI
 Prepared and coordinated student events such as fundraisers, outreach activities, and social
events
 Authored, lead and moderated weekly discussion-based studies for groups of 3-30 people
 Mentored college-age women
 Frequent speaker at large group gatherings of 50 people
 Planned, led, and executed a weekend women’s retreat for 30 students from three universities
Library Assistant – Distance Learning Services (1998 – 2001)
Michigan State University Libraries, East Lansing, MI
 Responsible for answering library and technology help lines for over 30 different areas and
programs
 Provided basic telephone and e-mail reference service for library patrons
 Provided technical support, troubleshooting, and problem solving for local and distancelearning patrons
 Organized, processed, and presented monthly departmental statistics
 Supervised and trained 5-10 students for customer service
Library Assistant - Serials Clerk, Business Library (1997 – 1998)
Michigan State University Libraries, East Lansing, MI
 Responsible for the processing, organizing and shelving of over 500 serial publications
acquired by the Gast Business Library
 Authored a comprehensive manual for the Serials Clerk position
 Created a Binding Calendar system using Microsoft Access to facilitate the timely binding of
periodicals
 Provided telephone and desk reference services, technological assistance, and electronic
resource searching assistance
 Trained and supervised student workers
 Assisted in the creation of a library copy center
TECHNICAL SKILLS
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HTML and basic Web design proficiency, DotNetNuke intranet software
Proficient with Camtasia screencasting software
Highly experienced with Web 2.0 applications, citation management software (Zotero,
EndNote), blogs, wikis, social bookmarking and networking, RSS technology
Proficient in ANGEL course management system, working familiarity with Blackboard
Instant messaging and chat applications for reference, including Meebo and OCLC Question
Point software
Library systems: Innovative Interfaces OPAC including beta testing of ENCORE interface,
LibData library guides system, DeskTracker statistical software, ILLiad document delivery
system
Expertise in searching a wide array of indexes, including but not limited to platforms from
ProQuest, EBSCO, Lexis-Nexis, ISI Web of Knowledge, OCLC, and Gale
Microsoft Office suite, including Publisher
Sara D. Miller, Curriculum Vita. page 9
Teaching Philosophy Statement
Sara D. Miller, MLIS
Instruction Librarian, Assistant Library Instruction Coordinator
Michigan State University Libraries
“Information literacy can itself be conceived of as a recursive process that is one important dimension of the way
we all make and negotiate meaning… Any literacy is an active and engaged literacy only in so far as it is
practiced, and only as it is practiced.”
–Rolf Norgaard i
As a teacher and librarian, I believe that teaching involves not simply guiding students to
information sources, but placing an emphasis on information literacy or fluency as an essential key to inquiry
within a discipline. This approach focuses on the nature of information and the recursivity of research, while
encouraging the development of searching and evaluation skills as a natural outgrowth of students’
interaction with information in a more critical context. Learning must always be student-centered and
contextual.
The nature of knowledge is in constant flux, and in order to navigate collected knowledge and to
participate in the creation of new knowledge, students must interact critically with information. Discovering
information on one’s own terms is already part of students’ everyday lives; helping them to understand
context, ask good questions of the information, and stimulate their search for more is where the teacher
librarian’s job begins.
In short, my role as a teacher librarian is to facilitate students’ discovery of information, stimulate
inquiry, and provide support for integration of information toward the development of critical thinking.
Through the approach of guided inquiry, I encourage the students to interact with information, drawing out
questions about its nature, creation, and functions, and to explore how the sources inform their own inquiry.
Since information literacy skills always function within a larger context, I must always focus on and remain
within that context in my objectives.
I structure my classes around opportunities for student discovery - not lecture or presenter
demonstration - both of which, without serving as the main focus or method, can have a place within the
overall structure of the class depending on the needs and learning styles of the students and the nature of
the class outcomes. I present questions to groups designed to stimulate deeper inquiry in relation to
information. Basic skills and competencies such as location and evaluation of information are never the
primary focus of the class, but are integrated naturally into the service of larger outcomes focusing on
higher-level thinking.
I base my classes on a cycle of inquiry – response, seeking out new information, and creating new
knowledge. Beginning the class with information designed to elicit a response – an article, video, or other
object for students to engage with – leads to questioning and begins the inquiry process. This engagement in
turn leads to a more authentic search for information in response to students’ questioning – seeking out new
information. Carrying out a search for additional information within groups builds confidence and begins to
demonstrate varying techniques among the searchers. As the group member together answer strategic
questions designed to stimulate an inquiry approach toward their resources, a dialogue emerges about the
nature of the information. At this point, each group presents their resource to the class and shares some of
their dialogue, which I use to compile a list of evaluative criteria – creating new knowledge. A brief
demonstration by me, with students following along on individual computers, follows as an alternative to
finding similar types of information, which can then begin the inquiry process again, reflecting recursivity in
research.
The contextual nature of information literacy or fluency necessitates close collaboration between
the librarian and the disciplinary expert. I place a high value on these relationships and am committed to
supporting the unique information literacy needs of disciplines across the institution. Working together to
coordinate outcomes, pedagogy, and understanding of student needs ensures the highest quality of
information literacy teaching and learning. As fluency in information is an essential component of the ability
to think critically, the importance of interdisciplinary efforts in this area highlights the role that information
literacy plays in leading out in support of institutional excellence.
Norgaard, Rolf (2003). Writing Information Literacy: Contributions to a Concept. Reference and User Services Quarterly, 43(2), 124130.
i