Alica Kolarić

Dr. Alica Kolarić is an Assistant Professor at the University of Zadar's Department of Information Sciences and Technologies. Her work focuses on information behavior, youth digital literacy, and library services for children/adolescents. She coordinates the OPERAS-PLUS research project and teaches courses including Library Services for Children, Information Literacy, and User Information Behavior. Weekly consultations are held Thursdays 2-4 PM by appointment.

Her research emphasizes understanding how adolescents assess information credibility in decision-making contexts, with recent studies exploring LGBTQ+ students' information needs during coming-out processes and Croatian emigrants' digital practices. She actively publishes in journals like IFLA Journal and presents at international conferences on topics like cybersecurity in youth library spaces.

• Education: Ph.D. in Information Sciences
• Key Projects: OPERAS-PLUS (EU-funded)
• Teaching: Specializes in information literacy pedagogy and user-centered library design

Dr. Kolarić collaborates with international organizations to develop safer digital environments for youth, emphasizing libraries' role in fostering critical thinking and media literacy. Her work bridges theoretical research with practical library service innovations, particularly in marginalized communities.