Janice M. Derr

Janice M. Derr serves as Professor and Head of Acquisitions at Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, while also functioning as a reference librarian and business subject specialist. Her dual administrative and service-oriented role bridges collection development with direct user support in an academic library setting.

Education

• M.L.I.S. from the University of Missouri-Columbia
• M.A. in English literature from Eastern Illinois University

Research Focus

Dr. Derr's scholarship centers on practical library science applications, examining readers' advisory implementation in academic environments, circulation protocols for emerging technologies (tablets/digital cameras), and culturally responsive collection development. Her work uniquely integrates operational management with diversity initiatives, evidenced by specialized guides on Islamic fashion and Muslim literature that address representation gaps in library collections. This applied research directly informs contemporary academic library practices.

Publication Trends

Analysis of her 2014-2023 publications reveals an evolving trajectory from foundational technology circulation studies toward nuanced cultural curation. Early work established benchmarks for lending digital devices, while later research pivoted to supporting diverse communities through subject-specific bibliographic tools. The consistent thread is user-centered service innovation, with recent outputs emphasizing inclusive collection development as critical to academic library missions.

Professional Engagement

Dr. Derr actively shapes library discourse through media contributions covering Booth Library's 10,000+ volume book sales and National Poetry Month programming. She facilitated high-profile events including U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo's campus visit and Road Scholar presentations on Indigenous cultures, demonstrating commitment to community-building beyond traditional library services. Her leadership in acquisitions directly impacts collection quality while her subject guides extend scholarly support to underrepresented areas.