As the Jay Visiting Information Literacy Librarian for Online Learning, James Henry Smith works on creating asynchronous learning experiences to support students learning how to most effectively use library resources. This work can be found across a suite of platforms including the Libraries' YouTube channel, LibGuides, and on Canvas in the Information Literacy Online Toolkit.
James Henry received their education at Indiana University Bloomington, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics in 2019 and a Master's degree in Library Science in 2022. During this time they worked in a variety of student positions at IU Libraries, most notably in the Makerspace, which is what led them to an interest in library instruction.
Their research interests lie in the ways in which teaching practices can foster a more inclusive and accessible learning experience in the digital environment. This spans from the granular decisions to be made in formatting web documents more accessibly all the way to designing learning experiences through the lens of Trauma-Informed Care and Universal Design for Learning.
Through their scholarship and practice, James Henry is committed to values of equitable teaching and learning by intentionally centering the student experience in their work.