Alex H. Poole

Alex H. Poole is an Associate Professor in the Department of Information Science at Drexel University's College of Computing & Informatics, where he conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of history, archives, and digital technologies. His work examines information practices, digital curation challenges, and community-based approaches to knowledge management across cultural heritage institutions.

Poole's academic foundation includes:

• PhD in Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (dissertation: “Forging Our Cultural Commonwealth: the Importance of Digital Curation in the Digital Humanities”)
• MS in Library Science (Beta Phi Mu) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• MA in History from Brown University
• BA in History (with highest honors) from Williams College

His research investigates how individuals and communities interact with information systems, particularly in archival contexts, with strong emphasis on ethical digital curation and historical perspectives. Recent projects analyze the preservation of dynamic web content like online advertisements, the role of archives in social justice movements including Black community-based librarianship, and the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in archival education. Poole examines how information poverty manifests historically and how community-driven approaches can transform library and archival practice.

Analysis of Poole's recent publications reveals consistent focus on contemporary challenges in archival science, including workforce sustainability for archivists, feminist history in information science, and human-centered approaches to data management. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in digital humanities, museum studies, and community engagement, demonstrating how information practices evolve in response to technological and social changes. Key thematic threads include the ethics of preserving commercial web content, historical analysis of professional identity formation, and structural barriers to equity in information professions.

Poole's scholarly contributions have earned significant recognition:

• ALISE/Bohdan H. Wynar Research Paper Award
• Donald G. Davis Award from the American Library Association
• Justin Winsor Prize from the ALA
• Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research from the ALA
• Bob Williams Research Paper Award from ASIS&T
• Arline Custer Memorial Award for Best Article from MARAC
• Theodore Calvin Pease Award from the Society of American Archivists
• Runner-up for Best Short Paper at the iConference
• Best Long Paper at the ASIS&T Annual Meeting

His research has been funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Drexel University Provost’s Office, supporting collaborative projects addressing real-world information challenges. Poole serves on editorial boards for The Library Quarterly, Information & Culture, Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, and The Electronic Library, shaping scholarly discourse across information science. While specific student advisees aren't documented in available sources, his work influences graduate archival education through curriculum development and professional standards advocacy.

Within Drexel's College of Computing & Informatics, Poole collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on digital curation initiatives and community-based information projects. His research partnerships extend to libraries, archives, and cultural heritage institutions nationwide, focusing on sustainable preservation practices, ethical data management, and inclusive approaches to knowledge organization. Current work emphasizes community-driven digital humanities projects that center marginalized voices while addressing technical challenges of preserving dynamic web content.