Library Summer Scholars Mentors
Johanna Boyle
Collection Management Librarian
Contact: 340G Mary Idema Pew Library, (616) 331-5069, [email protected]
Biography:
Johanna (she/her/hers) is the Collections Management Librarian, which means she works to make sure our resources (electronic resources, books, datasets, etc.) all meet the needs of our students and faculty. She likes data-informed decision making and identifying patterns in our usage data. Johanna has also been a public librarian (working with teens and collections), a Peace Corps Volunteer (Morocco, 2013-2015), and a newspaper reporter.
Project ideas:
Comparing built-in AI tools in several of our resources. Maybe helping with looking at data for upcoming resource renewals. Coming up with a tool or campaign or something to increase usage of specific resources.
Amber Dierking
Contact: 240 Mary Idema Pew Library(, 616) 331-2124, [email protected]
Biography:
As an Arts & Humanities Liaison Librarian, my day to day work involves information literacy instruction, research consultations, and building relationships with my liaison departments across campus (Classics, Philosophy, East Asian Studies, Visual Arts, IRIS, and most of the Modern Languages. My research has involved various aspects of Knowledge Organization (classification systems, subject access, metadata) as well as the effects of neoliberalism on graduate student work experiences. I always have a few ideas brewing, and would like to research and write more on critical information literacy instruction, citation politics, and other aspects of my teaching in the future. Before becoming an academic librarian I’ve spent time as a Youth Services Librarian in a public library, a Co-Coordinator of an independent, volunteer-run, queer community library, and coached figure skating for 10 years.
My academic background includes a B.A. in French and English with a minor in International Studies from the University of Denver, and a Masters in Library & Information Science from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. As you may be able to guess from those two locations, I’m also a big fan of mountains.
Cayla Dwyer
Contact: 240 Mary Idema Pew Library, (616) 331-2213, [email protected]
Biography:
Cayla Dwyer (they/them/their) is a “Laker for a Lifetime” and currently serves as a liaison for the sciences. They are a former GVSU Library Research Scholar, where they researched the intersections and relationship between language acquisition and information literacy. Cayla received their MSLIS from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Prior to their work as a librarian, they worked as an English teaching assistant in Strasbourg, France and an accountant. Cayla’s interests include the experiences of queer, particularly trans and gender non-conforming, patrons and employees within libraries, critical information literacy, digital humanities, poetry, and walking.
Maya Hobscheid
Contact: 240j Mary Idema Pew Library, (616) 331-9146, [email protected]
Biography:
(she/her/hers)
As the Instructional Design Librarian, I provide leadership and support for instructional initiatives and projects in the library. This includes creating and managing digital learning objects such as interactive tutorials and videos, assessing information literacy instruction, and integrating accessibility and inclusion best practices into library instruction.
My scholarly work includes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in information literacy, digital learning objects, Universal Design for Learning, and information literacy learning outcomes. I have worked with scholars in the past on creating information literacy learning materials.
Sarah Joseph
Health Research & Data Librarian
Contact: Frey Learning Commons, DCIH 202D, [email protected]
Biography:
Sarah Joseph (she/her/hers) is the Health Research and Data Librarian and primarily works with the health sciences. She received her MLIS degree from Wayne State University. Prior to her work as a librarian, Sarah was a university gallery director for many years and has a background in the fine arts. Her interests include health care access, history and practice of the visual arts, traditional and contemporary fiber arts, the science of color, spending time outdoors, and baking.
Cara Medvedenko
Liaison Librarian to Education, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies
Contact: DEV 276c, (616) 331-5927, [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her
Biography:
Cara Medvedenko (she/her) is the Liaison Librarian to Education programs and to the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies. Her research interests include how students research, the student experience, and how incarcerated students and others in the prison system access information. If you have a project idea related to these topics or beyond please reach out! Cara holds a B.A. from GVSU and a MSc in Information and Library Studies from the University of Strathclyde.
Samantha Minnis
Humanities Liaison Librarian
Contact: 240F Mary Idema Pew Library, (616) 331-2633, [email protected]
Biography:
Samantha (she/her) is the liaison librarian for the School of Communications and the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Her educational background spans the Social Sciences and the Humanities with a Bachelor's in Anthropology and Art History from Central Michigan University and a Master's in Library and Information Science from Kent State University. Her research interests include information literacy, particularly evaluation of information in every day life, knowledge preservation in the areas of music and historical fashion and textiles, and empowering students as researchers. In her free time, Samantha loves to knit, cross-stitch, play the flute, bake, and hike near Lake Michigan.
Avery Olearczyk
Contact: 240 Mary Idema Pew Library, (616) 331-7058, [email protected]
Biography:
Avery (she/her/hers) received a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina. She discovered a love for working with teens and young adults while working as a public librarian for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries. Avery was a St. Lawrence University Library Fellow, and has taught information literacy for academic libraries in North Carolina, New York, and Vermont before coming to GVSU. Avery is a Liaison Librarian to the Seidman College of Business and the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing. She is interested in LGBTQ representation in library spaces and digital storytelling. She loves working one-on-one with students to help them tell their stories. In her free time, Avery enjoys crafting, exploring the outdoors, and is constantly on the hunt for a great slice of pizza.
Matthew Reidsma
Web Services Librarian
Contact: 250F Mary Idema Pew Library, [email protected]
Biography:
I am the Web Services Librarian at the University Libraries, where I oversee all our web-based systems. My background is in human/computer interaction and philosophy, and I work on designing easy-to-use interfaces, making sure our web content is accessible, and examining algorithmic-based systems for bias. I also used to teach Ethics (PHI 102) here at GVSU, and see my work as being primarily one of a “design ethicist.” If you are interested in critical examinations of technology, particularly algorithmic systems like search engines or AI models, I’d love to work with you!
Project idea:
This year, we have an opportunity for a scholar to work with our Web Services Librarian on building a framework and syllabus for teaching students the basics of examining search algorithms in traditional search engines as well as Large Language Models/AI for bias as part of an information literacy curriculum. If you are interested in this project, please indicate so in the letter of interest in your application!
Ashley Rosener
Research, Instruction, and Scholarly Communications
Contact: DEV-278C, [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her
Biography:
Ashley Rosener (she/her) is the Open Education and Scholarly Communications Librarian at GVSU Libraries. With over 13 years of experience in academic libraries, her scholarship explores mentoring, professional development, and slow librarianship, with a particular focus on cultivating reflective and sustainable practices in librarianship. She is the editor of the book Slow Librarianship: Reflections and Approaches (Litwin Books).
Mary Ruge
Contact: 240e Mary Idema Pew Library, (616) 331-9145, [email protected]
Biography:
Mary (any pronouns) has been in libraries for over ten years, both public and academic, and is currently the library liaison for English, Writing, Africana Studies, and the Honors College here at GVSU. She is interested in how libraries hold space for the communities they serve in terms of access, inclusion, and promoting information literacy. they are also interested in comics scholarship (form and content), social justice issues, and would be especially interested in a combination of the two!
Leigh Rupinski
Collections and Digital Scholarship
Contact: Seidman House, [email protected]
Biography:
Leigh Rupinski (she/her/hers) is the Director of Lemmen Library and University Archivist. She is responsible for instruction services, exhibition creation, reference assistance, student supervision, and outreach services. She graduated with a B.A. from Grand Valley State University and a Master's in Information Science with specializations in Archives and Records Management and the Preservation of Information from the University of Michigan School of Information. Her research interests include creative methods of teaching with primary sources, innovative outreach practices for special collections and archival material, social media and archival materials, and student employment and mentorship in archives.
Gayle Schaub
Contact: 240 Mary Idema Pew Library, (616) 331-2629, [email protected]
Biography:
Gayle is currently the Student Success Librarian and also teaches a course on basic library research, IDS 110. She has been the library liaison to a number of departments since she began at GVSU in 2012, including Psychology, Modern Languages, Sociology, Political Science, Women, Gender, and Sexuality studies, and Art. Gayle has an MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and a Master of Library and Information Science. She co-edited and contributed to two books on librarianship and information literacy. Her research interests include student success in libraries, information literacy, and high-impact practices in librarianship. Gayle’s a proud mom to two Laker grads, and she enjoys good food, traveling, movies, long walks, Tigers baseball, and summer.