Mary Anne Nichols, M.L.S.

Mary Anne Nichols, M.L.S., began teaching as a part-time instructor for the iSchool in 1995. She became a full-time faculty member in 2006 and now teaches core courses and electives in youth services librarianship and marketing libraries and advises students interested in public and school librarianship. She also serves as the faculty advisor for the iSchool’s Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC).

Prior to becoming a full-time faculty member, Nichols worked in a public library starting in high school as a student assistant and then in paraprofessional positions during college. After earning her M.L.S from Kent State University, she held the position of school age and young adult librarian for a branch in a large public library system in Ohio.

Nichols presents on various topics related to teen library services and remains active in various professional organizations. Professional service is important to her and she is a member of the American Library Association’s Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), having served in a variety of capacities on various committees. She is also a member of OELMA, the Ohio Educational Library Media Association. Nichols is currently the chair of the Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth, the longest running national conference of its kind, which celebrated its 35th year in 2023. Additionally, she served as Chair of the 2023 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. From 1999-2020 she served as the series co-editor of Libraries Unlimited Professional Guides for Young Adult Librarians for ABC-Clio.

In order to support teens and their development, Nichols became certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid, receiving training to identify and help youth experiencing challenges with mental health or substance use.

*The School of Information faculty are superstars in the field. Therefore, it is impossible to list all of the great work they do on one page. Further information can be viewed in Mary Anne Nichols’ CV (found below) or her page on LinkedIn.

Teaching/Advising

Academic Program
Library & Information Science

Information Access and DiscoveryYouth Engagement: Information, Culture and Community

Courses

LIS 60040    Information Institutions and Professions (Co-developed)

LIS 60608    The Public Library 
LIS 60609    Marketing the Library (Developed)

LIS 60626    Engaging Teens

LIS 60629    Engaging School Age Children

LIS 60280    Master’s Portfolio in Library and Information Science (Lead developer)

LIS 60792    Culminating Experience Practicum in K-12 Libraries
LIS 60892    Culminating Experience for Dual Degree

Professional Specialties

Resources & Services for Young AdultsManagementMarketing

Selected Publications

Nichols, M.A. (2019). Research roundup: Connecting with teens outside of the library. YALS (the Official Journal of YALSA), 18(1), 7-8.

Nichols, M.A. (2013). Reality check: Teaching future leaders in teen services. VOYA, 36(2), 21.

Nichols, M.A. & Brodie, C. (2011). Picture perfect: Picture books for teens. VOYA, 34(5), 442-444.

Nichols, M.A. (2002). Merchandising library materials to young adults. Libraries Unlimited. ISBN: 978-0313313820

Nichols, M.A, & Nichols, C.A. (Eds.). (1998). Young adults and public libraries: A handbook of materials and services. Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0313300035

Awards/Achievements

• Kent State University College of Communication and Information Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient (2012) and Nominee (2014)
• Kent State University Graduate Applause (2008) (2010), recognized as a “teacher who has made a difference in the life of a graduate."

Professional Service

• Chair, The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction Selection Committee, 2023
• Chair, (2022- Present) Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth
• Serves on the Advisory Board of the Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth (2007-2022)
• Planning committee member for Take 5: A Youth Services Dialogue, State of Ohio, (2017 - Present)
• Series Co-Editor of Libraries Unlimited Professional Guides for Young Adult Librarians, Libraries Unlimited/ABC Clio, Santa Barbara, California (April 1999 - 2020)
• Serves on multiple committees for Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), including Research Committee (2019 - 2020), Student Member Engagement Task Force (Chair 2013 - 2015), and Popular Paperbacks for Teens Selection Committee (2012 - 2014)

Affiliations

• American Library Association (ALA)
• Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC)
• Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
• Ohio Library Council (OLC)
• Ohio Educational Library Media Association (OELMA)