Allison Jai O’Dell is a recent graduate of the Catholic University of America's School of Library and Information Science. She holds Bachelor's Degrees from the University of Maryland in ancient history and classical languages. Currently, she is working as the Special Collections Cataloger for the project, "Mapping Special Collections for Research and Teaching at Goucher College." Previously, Allison held the position as cataloger for the Carmelitana Collection in Washington, D.C., applying current bibliographical standards to convert the card catalog of the collection to an online platform. She is excited about the use of 21st century technologies to provide access to historical materials.
Summary
Work experience
Mar 2009 - Present
Special Collections Cataloger
http://www.goucher.edu/x32706.xml
Cataloging, in-depth indexing, and descriptive bibliography for the project, “Mapping Special Collections for Instruction and Use,” including: The James Wilson Bright Collection (anglo-saxon materials); The Chrystelle Trump Bond Dance and Music Collection (sheet music scores and portfolios of dance music); The H. L. and Sara Haardt Mencken Collection (correspondence); The Henry and Alberta Burke Papers and Jane Austen Research Collection.
Mar 2008 - Mar 2009
Librarian
Carmelitana Collection
Original and complex copy cataloging for a special collection of manuscript and print materials, spanning the 16th to the 20th century; reference assistance for visiting and remote researchers; online database implementation, administration, and maintenance.
Sep 2007 - Mar 2009
Reference Assistant
John K. Mullen of Denver Memorial Library
Reference and research instruction for undergraduate and graduate students, most often focused on humanities and health sciences.
Jul 2007 - Mar 2008
Cataloger
Office of Minority Health Resource Center
Original cataloging of health and medical materials, including grey literature and ephemera.
Mar 2006 - May 2007
Digital Acquisitions Assistant
Hogan & Hartson
Experience with digital rights management, and knowledge of copyright law, intellectual property, and licensing issues; experience working with vendors of electronic content and the publishing industry, as well as performing product and cost research, and negotiating content licenses.
Sep 2002 - Dec 2004
Preservation Assistant
McKeldin Library, University of Maryland
Created binders, boxes and other enclosures for materials; paper conservation.
Education
Sep 2009 - Present
M.A.
Corcoran College of Art + Design
"The Master of Arts in the Art and the Book Program offers a comprehensive approach to studying the history and theory of book culture, as well as contemporary methods of production."
2007 - 2009
M.L.S.
The Catholic University of America
Coursework in Library and Information Science (30 credits): Organization of Information -- Information Systems -- Information Sources & Services -- Libraries & Information in Society -- History of the Book -- Art & Museum Librarianship -- Collection Development -- Rare Book Librarianship -- Cataloging & Classification -- Practicum (Cataloging) at the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of the American Indian
Coursework in Classical Studies (30 credits): Greek Art & Architecture -- Roman Art & Architecture -- Heroes in Ancient Greek Art -- Bronze Age Greece -- Greek Summer Intensive -- Directed Reading in Advanced Greek -- Early Greek Philosophy