FACULTY PROFILE
Professor Cari A. Didion, EdD (Candidate), MLIS, MEd
Professor Cari A. Didion is an Associate Professor and Science Librarian at Governors State University. With an extensive background in library and information science, higher education administration, and STEM education, she is pivotal in supporting students and faculty in their research and learning.
As a science librarian, Professor Didion specializes in information literacy instruction, scholarly communication, and research support. She teaches Biological Literature (BIOL-4510 & BIOL-6510) and has also taught Mastering College (COUN-1008), integrating her expertise in academic research strategies and scientific communication.
Professor Didion’s scholarly work includes publications on topics such as crisis communication in academic libraries, bibliometric analyses in scientific research, and the use of technology in library instruction. She has co-authored book chapters on scholarly communication tools, augmented reality in education, and open educational resources (OER). Her research contributions have been presented at national and international conferences, covering diversity in scholarly communication, faculty-librarian collaboration, and innovative library services.
Beyond her role in academic libraries, Professor Didion has held leadership positions, serving as Interim Department Chair of the University Library (2023-2024) and actively contributing to library governance and policy-making. She is also an elected trustee for the New Lenox Public Library District, advocating for public access to knowledge and library services.
Committed to faculty development and student success, Professor Didion has received numerous grants and awards, including the OER Campus Kickstart Award and sponsorships from the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). She holds certifications in OER librarianship, online teaching, and quality assurance in education.
Her dedication to academic research, library instruction, and student success makes her an invaluable resource for the university community.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Bio: Didion, C. (2024). Crisis in the Academic Library. In M. Rysavy, R. Michalak, T. Dawes, & J. Cawthorne (Eds.), Toxic dynamics: Disrupting, dismantling, and transforming academic library culture (1st ed.). Association of College & Research Libraries.
Didion, C. (2022). Crisis communication and the academic library: A website analysis during COVID-19. [Manuscript in preparation]. University Library, Governors State University.
Governors State University Didion, C. (2021). Mixed-orientation marriages: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis.
Library, Governors State University Didion, C., & Sterner, E. (2021). Chrome extensions for research. In B. Buljung & B. Emily (Eds.), The scholarly communications cookbook (pp. 289-290). Association of College and Research Libraries
Didion, C., & Sterner, E. (2021). Creating spreadsheet tool workshops that promote the use of Excel and Google Sheets. In B. Buljung & B. Emily (Eds.), The scholarly communications cookbook (pp. 291-292).
Association of College and Research LibrariesDidion, C., & Sterner, E. (2021). zSpace open lab: Using AR/VR software to learn anatomy and more. In E. Kroski (Ed.), 32 Virtual, augmented, & mixed reality programs for libraries (pp. 30-34). ALA Editions.