Amy Barlow

Amy Barlow is an Associate Professor and Reference Librarian at the James P. Adams Library, Rhode Island College (RIC), where she serves as the subject librarian for Political Science and the Humanities. She plays a key role in teaching and research support, particularly through experiential and collections-based learning.

Her research interests center on digital humanities, public history, collections-based learning, object-based learning, and information literacy. She is deeply committed to innovative pedagogy that connects students with tangible library materials to foster creativity, critical thinking, and community engagement. Her work emphasizes the educational value of physical collections in an increasingly digital academic environment.

The most recent publications highlight a consistent focus on library pedagogy, student engagement, and the integration of digital and physical resources in humanities education. Themes across her work include experiential learning, scholarly conversation, and democratizing access to knowledge through public-facing projects.

• 2022 Scholar of the Institute for Research Design in Librarianship
• Past Rhode Island Council for the Humanities grant recipient
• Past American Library Association Emerging Leader

Amy Barlow actively teaches, including the first-year seminar Raid the Collections, where students conduct original research using library collections. She advocates for collaboration between faculty and librarians to enrich curricula. Her professional work includes grant-funded public humanities projects and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange initiatives. Though no formal advising or grant details are listed, her publications and projects suggest a strong commitment to educational innovation and community scholarship.

She leads pedagogical initiatives within the James P. Adams Library, focusing on transforming the library into an active learning space. Her projects often involve students in curating exhibitions and creating digital content, fostering a dynamic relationship between library collections, academic programs, and the broader community.