Biography and Expertise
Areas of Interest:
- Print culture and book history, including 21st century and digital practices;
- literature and non-fiction materials for young readers;
- publishing, particularly marketing and book promotion;
- communities of readers;
- library history and the history of associated non-profit entities interested in literacy;
- and community engagement and service learning.
Her recent research explores Nerdfighteria and Vlogbrothers' viewers as communities of readers, emphasizing the ways readers craft their responses to stories. Studies of library history and librarians' roles in promoting reading are also part of her ongoing research.
Particular topics of interest include the ways books and other media are promoted and shared. Non-profit organizations' participation in these exchanges is also key to her research.
These studies also consider how communities of readers are understood in light of books and materials made available to them and made by them. This dimension of reader response theory represents a theme that connects her historical and contemporary research.