Beatrice C. Baaden

Beatrice C. Baaden is an Associate Professor and Director of the School Library Media Program at the Palmer School of Library and Information Science, part of Long Island University’s College of Education, Information and Technology. With over 35 years of experience in education, including 27 years as a school library media specialist, she transitioned into higher education after retiring from Plainedge Public Schools in 2002.

Her research and expertise lie in school libraries, instructional design, information literacy, and mentoring. She has designed and implemented a blended and fully online school library media program, contributing significantly to modern librarian education. Her work has been featured in publications such as Curriculum Partner and an ALA video on the future of school libraries.

The publications and presentations of Dr. Baaden reflect a consistent focus on professional development, curriculum integration, and equitable access to information. Her work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing mentoring, technology integration in under-resourced environments, and alignment with national standards. Themes across her scholarship include 21st-century learning, differentiated instruction, and the evolving role of school librarians.

Scientific Awards:

• David Newton Award for Teaching Excellence, Long Island University (2009)

Advising and Grants: While specific advisees and grants are not listed, Dr. Baaden has guided the development of graduate-level resources, including a manual for the Content Specialty Test and a professional portfolio guide for library media specialists. She actively mentors future librarians through curriculum design and leadership in her program.

Labs, Teams, and Affiliations: Dr. Baaden serves on the advisory boards of multiple BOCES School Library Systems (Nassau, Eastern Suffolk, Western Suffolk). She is a member of the New York Library Association, American Association of School Librarians, American Library Association, Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the Governor’s Council for Universal Broadband Digital Literacy.