Kirsten J. Clark

About me

When I joined the staff of the University of Minnesota Libraries in July 2007, it was the next step in a ten plus year progression in the field of government information. This path started as Government Documents and Electronic Services Librarian at St. John’s University/College of St. Benedict (MN) for seven years (1997-2004) followed by two and a half years as Government Documents and Maps Librarian at New Mexico State University (2004-2006). In 2006 I had the opportunity to work on a national Institute of Museum and Library Services grant focusing on training non-documents librarians to use government information. I spent a year as project manager of this grant at the University of Colorado (2006-2007) before coming to the University of Minnesota as Government Information and Regional Depository Librarian. In addition I am also the Government Publications Unit Head where I supervise staff in providing government information reference, processing and cataloging government documents, and overseeing the Government Publications Collections and website.

While my main area of interest has been United States government information, previous jobs have also included working with faculty and students in the areas of chemistry, mathematics, area studies, political science, geography, and history. Since coming to the University of Minnesota, the focus on government information has expanded beyond federal level information to include international governments, United Nations, European Union, Canadian, Minnesota (and other states), and local governments.

Besides working with the faculty, staff and students at the University of Minnesota, my role as a regional depository librarian within the Federal Depository Library Program (http://www.fdlp.gov) provides opportunities to work with libraries across the state. The University Libraries’ regional depository serves the states of Minnesota and South Dakota and works with 31 selective depositories in both public, academic, special and law libraries.

Key to my position is assuring free and open access to the information published by government entities, both in the tangible form, and online. In addition I also focus on looking for ways new technology can provide greater communication and education to libraries and the public on what government information resources have to offer in ensuring an informed citizenry.

Education

M.A., History, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN
M.A., Library and Information Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
B.S., Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
A.S., Chemistry, Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon, IL

Selected Presentations and Publications

Clark, Kirsten J. and Jennie M. Burroughs. "Connecting at a Distance: Bridging Time and Space with Virtual Tools." Documents to the People. 38:3 (Fall 2010).

Clark, Kirsten. "Three Responses to the Ithaka S+R Report Documents for a Digital Democracy: A Regional's Response. Documents to the People. 38:2 (Summer 2010).

Clark, Kirsten and Jennifer Gerke. "Government Information in the 21st Century: A New Model for Academic Outreach." Academic Library Outreach: Beyond the Campus Walls. Ed. Nancy Courtney. Libraries Unlimited/Teacher Ideas Press, 2008. 193-201.

Burroughs, Jennie and Kirsten Clark. "News You Can Use: Contemporary SDI and Anticipatory Reference for Government Information." Reference Librarian 98 (2007).