Mary Ellen Sloane

Mary Ellen Sloane serves as Professor of User Services at Middle Tennessee State University's James E. Walker Library. Her role encompasses collection development support, scholarly communications advising, liaison services, and reference services across multiple STEM disciplines including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Computer Science.

Her educational background includes an MLS from San Jose State University (2003) and a BA in Philosophy from California State University, Sacramento (1999), with undergraduate focus on logic, ethics, and epistemology. Graduate studies concentrated on library administration, information organization, archives, and reference services.

Sloane's research centers on collection development, bibliometrics, scholarly communication, and information literacy, with recent expansion into data science applications and research impact metrics. Her work demonstrates consistent focus on electronic resources management, web usability, and developing collaborative frameworks between library and academic faculty, particularly in STEM fields.

Analysis of her publication history reveals sustained engagement with evolving library technologies, from early work on electronic resource management (2008-2012) through bibliometric innovations (2016-2021) to current research on global research disparities and data science applications (2022-2023). Her scholarship consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical implementation in academic library settings.

• Tenn-Share DeAnne Nipp-Kientz Volunteer of the Year (2018)
• Highly Commended paper award from 2013 Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence
• Tenn-Share Resource Sharing Award (2010)

Sloane has developed significant collaborative initiatives, particularly the information literacy partnerships with Chemistry faculty and data science forums at MTSU's Learning, Teaching, & Innovative Technologies Center. Her work with library consortia, including Tennessee's resource-sharing networks, demonstrates commitment to regional academic collaboration. Current projects focus on research metrics, SDG-related research disparities, and advancing data management practices in academic libraries.