Chelsee Dickson
ALA Divisions:
Collaborative, empathetic, curious.
I've just started reading Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. It's perfect for fans of dark academia (like me!). I recently finished The Last Heir to the Blackwood Library--a great beach or poolside read.
Informative, collegial, inclusive.
I value the exchange of information from ACRL. There's always an item that piques my interest in the ACRL Update emails and listserv digest, whether it's a fascinating piece about slow librarianship, a professional development webinar, or a new publication on scholarly communication. I appreciate the networking opportunities to be had at the ACRL conference, and I continuously learn something new when reading articles in C&RL News. Overall, ACRL is a great benefit to new, mid-career, and veteran academic librarians alike, and membership in ACRL has made me a well-informed and open-minded librarian.
As the Assistant Director of Academic Engagement and Instruction, Scholarly Publishing and Research, I oversee the projects of our Data Services Librarian and our Affordable Learning Materials Librarian, as well as our institutional repository and its staff. I was formerly the Kennesaw State University Libraries' Scholarly Communications Librarian, and I accepted the position of Assistant Director on June 1, 2024. This new role allows me to expand my scholarly communication services and build partnerships internal and external to the KSU community. I'll continue to serve as an educator and advisor on open access, copyright, and research impact best practices while supporting data management and affordable course materials. Additionally, my team and I host events for Open Access Week, an international event, and All Things Open Week, a bespoke virtual conference that encompasses all open movements (open access, open education, open science, etc.).
A common misconception about academic librarianship is that it's slow and stuffy when, in reality, it's the exact opposite. Academic librarianship is fast-paced, innovative, and becoming more diverse and inclusive. I began my career in public libraries and transitioned to academia without looking back. My career in academic libraries spans ten years, and it's been an enriching experience that has helped me hone my research and writing skills. Now that I'm in a leadership position within the KSU libraries, I hope to mentor and inspire others to do great things in academia.
Pronouns:She/Her/Hers
Credentials:MLIS, MSIT
Title:Assistant Director of Academic Engagement and Instruction, Scholarly Publishing and Research
Workplace:Kennesaw State University
Location:Kennesaw, GA