Kathi Carlisle Fountain
Reference Librarian
About Me:
As a reference librarian, I help students with their research at the reference desk and through library instruction. I also serve as the liaison to the History, Public Affairs, Biology, and Environmental Science programs. This means I communicate with department faculty about library business, help students and faculty efficiently conduct research, advocate for those departments, and buy good stuff for the library.
I recently joined the WSU Vancouver library faculty. Prior to my move to Vancouver, I was an Associate Librarian at California State University, Chico, specializing in reference with liaison responsibility for Political Science and Social Work.
Take a look at my vita for more information.
Have a question about the library? Have a question about doing research? Want to recommend a book for purchase? Please contact me.
Research and Professional Interests:
Interest Groups
I have long been interested in the role of lobbyists and citizen interest groups in American politics. Ten years ago, I created the first iteration of my web directory of U.S. Political Advocacy Groups. Along with directory information of nearly 400 organizations, two indicators are included to help students understand the relative political influence of each group.
Collection Development and Management
I am a contributor to Resources for College Libraries. This project seeks to identify core books, websites, and databases for undergraduate library collections. During initial development, I served as a bibliographer on the Political Science team. I am now the sole editor and ongoing contributor to that section.
My current research is focused on the shifting use of the WSU Vancouver book collection before and after the admission of lower division students.
Classes:
I will teach two sections of GE 101: Introduction to the University Learning Goals in Fall 2008.