Education:
Masters of Science in Information Management, Syracuse University, School of Information Studies, Syracuse, NY, 2004.
Masters of Library Science, Syracuse University, School of Information Studies, Syracuse, NY, 2000.
Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) in Anthropology and Music, Beloit College, Beloit, WI, 1997.
Professional Experience:
Head of Libraries Web Services
University of Houston Libraries
August 2005 – present
- Manages technical support for the University of Houston Libraries database-driven Internet Web servers, intranet Web server, and other special-function Web servers (e.g., electronic reserves, ILLiad, etc.).
- Develops, deploys, and supports database-driven production websites.
- Empowers content creators by providing tools and architecture that support their needs.
- Regularly assesses the accessibility and usability of the Libraries website.
- Investigates new web-based systems and technologies to be incorporated into the Libraries’ virtual presence.
- Supervises the work of fourFTE exempt technical staff.
- Serves as Chair of Libraries’ Web Management Committee.
- Works collaboratively with various Libraries stakeholders (e.g., the ILS Coordinator, the Coordinator of Electronic Resources, and the Metadata Coordinator) to enhance access to library resources and the effectiveness of the Libraries’ virtual presence.
Electronic Services Librarian
Memorial Library SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY.
August 2004 – August 2005
- Responsible for the electronic presence of the library, providing cohesion between a variety of applications including web-based systems and electronic information.
- Responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of the libraries web-based systems including: Web OPAC, SFX, ILLiad, and library intranet
- Provides leadership in developing, managing, and assessing the library’s collection of electronic resources
Library System Implementation Specialist (consultant)
SUNY Office of Library and Information Services, Albany, NY.
November 2003 – present
- Recommends changes and features to be included in SUNY Frameless WebOPAC template
- Creates documentation and training materials for ALEPH Frameless WebOPAC
- Offers training sessions on Frameless WebOPAC and implementing SUNY template
- Provide one-on-one assistance with individual campus customizations of frameless WebOPAC
Information Technology and Instruction Librarian
Memorial Library SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY.
March 2001 – August 2004
- Responsible for the design, development and maintenance of the Library’s website, in consultation with the library faculty.
- Develops electronic instructional resources, such as tutorials and online subject guides.
- Responsible for the design, and maintenance of the Library’s Web OPAC.
- Responsible for the implementation and maintenance of electronic resources.
- Responsible for the maintenance of the Library’s EZProxy server, library web servers and public computer terminals
- Responsible for maintaining and supporting ILLiad database and web server
- Plans and conducts the student computer and information literacy instruction.
- Works to integrates technology effectively into the library’s instruction program.
- Serves as library liaison to the distance-learning students.
- Created database for electronic resources
- Implemented database-driven web pages for portions of library website
- Created and implemented library intranet
Trails Manager
Fathom Knowledge Networks (www.fathom.com), New York, NY.
October 2000 - January 2001
- Classified and cataloged all Fathom original content
- Developed a metadata scheme based on Dublin Core for site-wide content in order to facilitate integrated search for the site
- Assisted in creating a XML DTD for the Fathom metadata scheme
- Developed guidelines for the organization of original site content
- Assisted in the evaluation and improvement of the site search engine
- Assisted in construction of the site’s information architecture
Cataloger (internship)
Technical Services (Library) National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY.
June 2000
- Utilized AACRII, LCSH, and MARC format to copy and original catalog the sheet music collection
- Performed original and copy cataloging of manuscripts using APPM
- Created copy catalog records for books
- Rehoused manuscripts and other materials to conform with archival standards
Awards:
- Finalist, 21st Century Librarian (New Librarian) Award (2003)
- SUNY Cortland Foundation Travel and Research Grant (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
- Individual Development Award (2001, 2002,2004)
- Special Project Grant (2002, 2004)
- Sylvia Chu Scholarship from SUNY Librarians Association (2001)
- Beta Phi Mu membership 2002
- Phi Beta Kappa membership 1997
- Presidential Scholarship (Beloit College)
Presentations and Workshops:
Coombs, K. A. (2008, June) “WorldCat Wordpress Widget - Social Software Showcase”, ALA Annual, Anaheim, CA
Clark, J. & Coombs, K. A. (2008, April) “AJAX for Libraries”, Computers in Libraries, Arlington, VA
Coombs, K. A. (2008, January) “LITA Top Technology Trends Discussion”, ALA Midwinter, Philadelphia, PA
Coombs, K. (2007, November) “Library 2.0 and Web 2.0, Changing the Face of Professional Development“, ACRL/NY Annual Symposium, New York, NY
Coombs, K. (2007, November) “From What to Why: Electronic Resource Usage Data in collection development and user behavior” NISO Forum: Understanding the Data Around Us: Gathering and Analyzing Usage Data, Dallas, TX
Boule, M. & Coombs, K. A. (2007, October) “Screencasting & E-Learning on a Shoestring“, Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA
Clark, J. & Coombs, K. A. (2007, October) “AJAX for Libraries“, Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA
Boule, M. & Coombs, K. A. (2007, October) “Five Weeks to a Social Library: Learning 2.0 on a Dime”, LITA Forum, Denver, CO
Blyberg, J., Breeding, Marshall, Coombs, K. A., & Tennant, R. (2007, June) LITA Top Technology Trends Panel, ALA Annual 2007 , Washington, DC.
Coombs, K. A., Free, D., King, D. L., Stephens, M. & Ward, D. (2007, June) “New Technologies for Reference Services“, RUSA-MARS Preconference, ALA Annual 2007, Washington, DC.
Coombs, K. A. (2007, April) “Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the Future of Libraries”, Colorado Association of Libraries : Colleague Connection 2007 , Denver, CO.
Coombs, K. A. (2007, February) CMS on Steriods Lightening Talk Code4Lib, 2007, Athens, GA.
Coombs, K. A. (2007, February) AWStats for Log Analysis, Lightening Talk Code4Lib, 2007, Athens, GA.
Coombs, K. A. & Clark J. (2006, October) AJAX for Libraries, Preconference Workshop at Internet Librarian, 2006, Monterey, CA.
Coombs, K. A. & Clark J. (2006, October) Innovative Uses of Web 2.0 Technologies Presented at Internet Librarian, 2006, Monterey, CA.
Coombs, K. A.; Nelson, W. & Schmidt, A. (2006, October) Blogging Update: Applications & Tips Presented at Internet Librarian, 2006, Monterey, CA.
Bell, S.; Coombs, K. A.; Griffey, J. (2006, June) “Next Stop Blogging!” Presented at American Library Association, 2006, New Orleans, LA.
Adams, H. R.; Coombs, K. A.; Lambert, T.; Oommen, K. (2006, April) “It’s None of Your Business!” Presented at Texas Library Association, 2006, Houston, TX.
Coombs, K. A. & Clark, J. (2006, March) “New Web Site Tools & Technologies: Tool Envy” Presented at Computers in Libraries, 2006, Washington, DC.
Coombs, K. A. (2006, March) “Observing & Analyzing Library Web Site User Behaviors“ (Post Conference Workshop) Presented at Computers in Libraries, 2006, Washington, DC.
Coombs, K. A. & Hollister A. (2005, October) Interoperability: Creating a Cohesive Online Experience Presented at Internet Librarian, 2005, Monterey, CA.
Coombs, K. A. & McCann S. (2005, October) Users Driving Web Site Changes Presented at Internet Librarian, 2005, Monterey, CA.
Coombs, K. A. (2005, March). Practical Privacy Pointers for Libraries. Presented at Computer in Libraries 2005, Washington, DC.
Coombs, K. A. (2004, November). Library Web site Applications using XML. Presented at Internet Librarian 2004, Monterey, CA.
Coombs, K. A. (2004, October). Important Adjustments to Make your WebOPAC More Accessible. Presented at SUNYAUG 2004, Syracuse, NY.
Coombs, K. A. (2004, June). Making the WebOPAC More Web Accessible. Presented at NAAUG 2004, Boston, MA.
Coombs, K. A. (2004, May). Library intranets: Centers for web content management, and information collection and distribution. Presented at SUNYLA 2004, Cortland, NY.
Coombs, K. A. & Murray, Laura (2004, May). Frameless and the Fearless: Optimizing the Frameless ALEPH Web OPAC. Presented at SUNYLA 2004, Cortland, NY.
Coombs, K. A. (2003, June). And the Hits Just Keep On Coming. Presented at SUNYLA 2003, Stonybrook, NY.
Coombs, K. A. (2003, June). Five
Aleph WebOPAC Tricks in Five Minutes. Presented at SUNYLA 2003, Stonybrook, NY.
Coombs, K. A. (2003, May). Cascading Style Sheets. Workshop presented at the Conference on Instructional Technologies, Potsdam, NY.
Coombs, K. A. (2003, March). Harnessing XML Database-Driven Content for Library Web Sites. Presented at Computers in Libraries, Washington, DC.
Coombs, K. A. (2002, June). Detangling the Web. Presented at the annual meeting of the Higher Education Web Development Professionals, Ithaca, NY.
Coombs, K. A. (2002, June). Library Instruction Using WebCT: Prizes and Perils. Presented at the annual meeting of the SUNY Librarians’ Association, Buffalo, NY.
Coombs, K. A. (2002, May). Library Instruction Using WebCT: The Best of Times, the Worst of Times Presented at the Conference on Instructional Technologies, Oneonta, NY.
Coombs, K. A. (2002, May). Cascading Style Sheets. Workshop presented at the Conference on Instructional Technologies,
Oneonta, NY.
Publications:
In Press:
Published:
Coombs, K. A. (2008) “Free Your Search with Open Source“, Library Journal NetConnect Summer .
Coombs, K. A. & Griffey, J. (2008) Library Blogging: The Whats and Hows of Library Blogs Linworth Press: Columbus, OH
Coombs, K. A. (2008) “Opening Up to Open Library“, Library Journal NetConnect Spring 28.
Coombs, K. A. (2008) “Navigating Content Management” Library Journal NetConnect Winter 24.
Coombs, K. A. (2007) “Buy, Borrow or Build” Library Journal NetConnect Fall 24.
Coombs, K. A. (2007) “Digital Promise and Peril” Library Journal Net Connect Summer 24.
Coombs, K. A. (2007) “Privacy vs. Personalization” Library Journal NetConnect, Spring 28.
Coombs, K. A. (2007) “Building a Library Web Site on the Pillars of Web 2.0” Computers in Libraries, 27(1) 16-19.
Coombs, K. A. (2006) “Planning for Now and Then” Library Journal NetConnect, Fall, 2-3.
Coombs, K. A (2005) “Lessons Learned From Analyzing Library Database Usage Data” Library Hi Tech 23(4), 598-609.
Coombs, K. A. (2005) “Protecting User Privacy in the Age of Digital Libraries” Computers in Libraries 25 (6), 16-20.
Coombs, K. A. (2005) [Review of the book Web Systems Design and Online Consumer Behavior.] Choice 42 (10), .
Coombs, K. A. (2005) [Review of the book The Interaction Society: Practice Theories and Supportive Technologies.] Choice 42 (8), 1434.
Coombs, K. A. (2005) [Review of the book Web Mining: Applications and Techniques.] Choice 42 (6)
Coombs, K. A. (2005) [Review of the book Explorer’s Guide to the Semantic Web.] Choice 42 (5) 887
Coombs, K. A. (2004). [Review of the book Intelligent Agents for Data Mining and Information Retrieval.] Choice 42 (4) 697
Coombs, K. A. (2005). “Using Web Server Logs to Track Users Through the Electronic Forest“. Computers in Libraries 24(1), .
Coombs, K. A. (2004). “Walking a Tightrope: Academic Librarianship and Privacy”. Journal of Academic Librarianship 30(6), 493-498.
Coombs, K. A. (2004). [Review of the website W3 Schools]. Choice 42(2), .
Coombs, K. A. (2004) [Review of the book The Politics of
Internet Communication]. Choice 41(10), 1915.
Coombs, K. A. (2003). [Review of the book The Second Information Revolution]. Choice 41(6),.
Coombs, K. A. (2003). [Review of the book The Backup Book: Disaster Recovery from Desktop to Data Center]. Choice 41(5), 946.
Coombs, K. A. (2004). “Reaching the Crossroads of Two Lists for Periodicals Holdings”. Computers in Libraries 24(1), 14-20.
Coombs, K. A. (2003). “Customizing ALEPH: Modifying your ALEPH Web OPAC”, SUNYergy. 4(5), 2
Retrieved November 30, 2003 from SUNY Office of Library and Information Services Web site: http://olis.sysadm.suny.edu/sunyergy/20webopac.htm
Coombs, K. A. (2003). [Review of the website Web publishing Curriculum Resources]. Choice 40(Special Issue), 126
Coombs, K. A. (2003). [Review of the book Byte wars: the impact of September 11 on information technology]. Choice 40(8), 1397
Coombs, K. A. (2002). [Review of the book Regulating Cyberspace]. Choice 40(6), 1016-1017
Coombs, K. A. (2002). [Review of the book Understanding Information]. Choice, 40 (1), 138.
Coombs, K. A. (2002). [Review of the book Unlocking the Clubhouse Women in Computing]. Choice, 39(9), 1621.
Coombs, K. A. (2002). [Review of the book Usability for the Web]. Choice, 39(8), 1455.
Coombs, K. A. (2001). [Review of the book The Well].Choice, 39(4), 720.
Coombs, K. A. (2001). [Review of the book The Last Mile: Broadband and the Next Internet Revolution]. Choice, 38(3), 547.
Recent Web Sites Created:
Library Web Chic – http://www.librarywebchic.net
SUNYLA Conference Website 2004 – http://library.cortland.edu/sunyla2004/
SUNYLA Conference Website 2003 – http://www.sunyla.org/conferences/stonybrook/
YourBIGWIG Website - http://www.yourbigwig.org
Professional Activities:
Co-Chair, LITA Blogs, Wikis and Social Software Interest Group 2006 – 2008
Texas Digital Library Institutional Repository Working Group 2006 – present
Co-organizer, Five Weeks to a Social Library Project (http://www.sociallibraries.com/course/)
Continuing Education:
ACRL Information Literacy Institute – Track 1
Usability Testing and Evaluation Methods Workshop
Professional Web Authoring Workshop
LITA Regional Institute- Database Driven Web Sites
Dynamic HTML Workshop
Memberships:
American Library Association, 2000 – 2001, 2005 – present
American Society for Information Science and Technology, 2001
SUNY Librarian’s Association, 2001 – 2005
Phi Beta Kappa, 1997 – present
Beta Phi Mu 2002 - present
