Nancy Bunker

Nancy Bunker is an Associate Professor in the Library at Whitworth University, affiliated with the Harriet Cheney Cowles Library. She has been a faculty member since 1994 and specializes in librarianship, historical research, and collection development. Her work bridges library science with historical scholarship, emphasizing the American West, travel history, and women's contributions.

Education:

• M.A., Eastern Washington University
• M.A., University of Denver
• B.A., Washington State University

Research Interests: Bunker focuses on historical place narratives, particularly 19th- and early 20th-century travel/tourism, resorts, and rail networks in the American West. She has produced curriculum guides for local history education and led projects like the Englewood oral history video funded by NEH grants. Current research includes a biography of Rev. May C. Jones, an early ordained female pastor.

Professional Roles:

• Member, Library Council of Washington (2008-2014)
• Chair, ALA History Section Committee (2011-2013)
• Member: American Library Association, Western History Association

Teaching: Courses include IDS 201 - Genealogy in Cultural Context, integrating historical research with cultural analysis.

Grants & Funding: Secured LSCA grants for history trunk projects and NEH support for oral history initiatives. These resources enabled artifact-based educational materials and community-focused scholarship.