Responsibilities:
Primarily, I serve as a reference/instruction librarian and coordinate collection development activities related to monographs. I also develop the library's collection of juvenile books and direct the Center for Children's/Young Adult Books (CCYAB). Other services and responsibilities include:
Additionally, I serve as library liaison to these departments:
MSU students, faculty and staff: feel free to contact me by e-mail at kathy.piehl@mnsu.edu or by phone at (507) 389-6777.
PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION
Education:
Mankato State University
Mankato, Minnesota
Ed. Spec. in Library Media EducationUniversity of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois
M.S. in Library ScienceWashington University
St. Louis, Missouri
A.M. in EnglishValparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana
B.A. in English and French
Experience:
Reference Librarian (Instructor to Professor)
Department Chair, 1991-1999
Minnesota State University, Mankato 1985-Instructor
English Department
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, Michigan 1979-1981Reference Librarian
Pennsylvania State University- Altoona Campus
Altoona, Pennsylvania 1978-1979Librarian
Seward Junior High School
Seward, Nebraska 1976-1977Teacher
St. John Lutheran School
Seward, Nebraska 1973-1976Teacher
Lutheran High School North
St. Louis, Missouri 1971-1973
Recent Publications:
"Can Adults Learn a Second Language? Research Findings and Personal Experience." The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin 78 (Fall 2011).
"Insects: Bugged Out." School Library Journal 57 (May 2011).
"Bustling Biomes." School Library Journal 56 (March 2010).
“Green Actions, Green Activists.” School Library Journal 55 (April 2009).
“Making a Difference: Environment.” School Library Journal 54(November 2008).
“Focus On: Hot Topics.” School Library Journal 54 (August 2008).
"Professional Service and Rewards of Book Reviewing" in Thinking Outside the Book: Essays for Innovative Librarians(Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2008).
“Focus On: Weather” School Library Journal 52 (August 2006).
Review of Lundin, Anne.Constructing the Canon of Children's Literature: Beyond Library Walls and Ivory Towers New York: Routledge, 2004Children's Literature Association Quarterly 30(Winter 2005).
Review of Children's Literature Remembered: Issues, Trends, and Favorite Books. Edited by Linda Pavonetti. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2004.Children's Literature Association Quarterly 29 (Winter 2004).
“Environmental Issues & Activism.” School Library Journal 49 (August 2003).
Recent Presentations:
"Books to Get Kids Reading." Branch Out Conference. Northfield, Minnesota, 2011.
"Diving into Dewey." Spotlight on Books Conference. Grand Rapids, Minnesota, 2011.
“New Nonfiction Books.” Spotlight on Books Conference. Grand Rapids, Minnesota, 2007 .
“Nonfiction Books That Inspire Learning.” Minnesota Educational Media Organization. Bloomington, 2006.
“Explore the Center for Children's and Young Adult Books.” Minnesota Education Media Organization. Mankato, 2005.
“Captain Noah's Environmental Voyage.” Sixth Biennial Conference on Modern Critical Approaches to Children's Literature. Nashville, Tennessee, 2005.
“Books to Get Kids Reading.” Roosevelt Teachers’ Study Group. 2004.
“What’s New in Children’s Books.” Delta Kappa Gamma. 2003.
“Recent Trends in Children’s Book Publishing.” South Central Chapter. MEMO. 2003.
“Outstanding Children’s Books of 2002.” MSU for Seniors. 2002.
KMSU radio broadcast about book reviewing. 2002.
Memberships (& Positions Held):
Recipient of Delta Kappa Gamma Society's Lucile Cornetet Award for Professional Development. 2007
