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ABOUT
ABOUT
On the first day of my third week working in a library, I knew libraries are where I belong. I enjoyed teaching as an adjunct professor at UNO, a university that is made up of non-traditional students who are often attending college as the first in their families or returning to school at an older age. I later served as a manager to Federal Work Study students, helping them learn how to work at a job as well as balance their school, personal, and work lives.
I began working on my MLIS at Louisiana State University but had to stop due to my work demands at Loyola University Library. I took the torch back up with Florida State University and graduated with my Master of Science in Information with a Graduate Certificate in Youth Servies during the Covid-19 pandemic. I serve the Greater New Orleans area as a librarian with Xavier University of Louisiana, and one day I want to give back to the university community of students by teaching some aspect of Library Sciences later in my career.
This is my LinkedIn profile if you'd like to learn more about my professional work.
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
LIBRARY EXPERIENCE
Head of Instruction Librarian
August 2024-present
Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans LA
Collaborating with teaching faculty to bring the physical and digital library to life in graduate programs, freshman Xavier Core, sophomore and junior level classes, and out of class enrichment sessions.
A concentration on core knowledge, such as how peer review articles are created, where library information comes from, and what the process of writing with research is really like; also providing deep dives into specific databases for students beginning their own research agendas.
Leading the information literacy team in projects, such as developing asynchronous, interactive, online Library Lessons with the Springshare technology LibWizard.
Utilizing interactive teaching technology to engage students during information literacy sessions and check understanding during a session.
Always gathering anonymous feedback from students for each session to improve performance and develop new ideas.
First Year Experience Librarian
November 2022 - July 2024
Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans LA
Working together with professors from various departments to bring information literacy skills and learning to students.
Working specifically with freshman students in the composition program to introduce them to the library and beginner researching ideas and skills.
Standing in with student workers for the Access Services Librarian when needed.
Reading and video conferencing on new and established topics for continuing education, focusing on improving instruction and enhancing instruction engagement.
Writing, whether a grant, article, or creative piece, to sharpen communication skills and participate in the librarian or creative writing world.
Connecting with support organizations on campus to help students develop their scholarly abilities.
Learning Commons Manager and Coordinator
August 2016 – January 2018
Loyola University, New Orleans LA
Hired, managed, scheduled, and evaluated two full time and two part time library staff to create highest level user experience possible
Trained, scheduled, mentored, and supervised forty-five student workers so that they could learn to balance school/work/life
Provided customer service at the front desk to students, professors, and public 10-20 hours per week to connect
users with their needed information and supplies
Lead learning commons staff team in the creation of a front desk wiki to assist front desk student workers in their daily tasks
Collaborated with student career center to create resume writing workshop so front desk student workers could capitalize on their student work experience
Cooperated with university administrators and various academic departments to host special events in the library
Library Associate I
February 2015 – August 2016
Jefferson Parish Public Library, Metairie and Marrero LA
Contributed excellent user experiences at front desk 4-8 hours a day to build library reputation as a top service provider
Taught one hour group and one-on-one digital literacy classes once a week to support local users meet their technology goals
Invented and implemented story time readings and activities for young children once a week to enrich their literary and creative spirits
Joined with manager to create daily Summer Reading Program activities to help kids of all ages maintain learning throughout the summer
Wrote an introduction to the main branch document to help orient new hires to daily, weekly, and monthly duties
Oriented and supported new Grand Isle library associate to story time readings and activities so he could deliver high quality story time to his community
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Tutor and Adjunct Professor
August 2007 – May 2011
University of New Orleans, New Orleans LA
Tutored up to six students daily in one-on-one writing lab sessions to improve their essay writing and ability to decode assignments
Taught one to two three credit hour classes of introductory English composition courses each semester to prepare students for higher level writing in future courses
Presented tours of the writing center to classes of twenty or more freshman students to help them acclimate to the tutoring environment and discover available resources
Held email conversations with professors about essay requirements for the students being tutored to better understand and tutor about those assignments
Collaborated with other composition professors in bi-weekly meetings to strengthen department-wide goals
CREATIVE EXPERIENCE
Sales Floor Associate
May 2019 – March 2020
The Bead Shop, New Orleans LA
Inspired customers to create one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces to celebrate their individuality
Connected customers with one item among thousands to fulfill their bead desires
Provided excellent customer service to local residents and visitors from around the world to enhance and expand the reputation of the shop
Tracked and reported stock daily to supervisor to have essential products available
Repaired and modified jewelry to fit the customer’s desire
Hand-made original jewelry pieces at the direction of the in-house repair specialist or the customer to fulfill the customer’s jewelry vision
Contributed to social media postings three times a week to increase digital reach
Special Effects Technician
March 2014 – January 2015
Dead House Designs, Kenner LA
Built electrical special effects in Escape Rooms in various cities to entertain customers
Stayed within larger $100k+ budget for the build to please the client
Trained with a computer engineer on show control software to enhance understanding of complete systems control
Functioned under tight timelines with must meet opening dates to satisfy the client’s needs
DEGREES
DEGREES
Graduate School
Master of Science in Information : April 2022
Graduate Certificate in Youth Services
GPA 4.0
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing : May 2010
Teaching assistantship
100 page thesis
GPA: 3.98
Undergraduate Schooling
Bachelor of Arts : May 2007
Loyola University New Orleans
Creative writing concentration
GPA 3.9
Southeastern Louisiana University and Delgado Community College attended during high school over summer breaks
PUBLICATIONS
PUBLICATIONS
Peer reviewed publication in CODEX for “Diverse STEM Children’s Books” Volume 7 2024
Publication in the ACRL Instruction Section newsletter for “Boolean Pizza Operators” handout Spring 2023
Publication in the book Violet Windows for short story “Karook the Sword Armed” 2023
Critical essay on Little Women in The Reader’s Response 2003
Photograph in Ellipsis 2009
Short story “Five Pixels” in SLAB Literary Magazine 2012
Short story “Dead Hook” with Sibling Rivalry Press as a pay per copy Digital Single October 2012
Publication with Belle Journal for short story “God Bless Bon Bons” February 2013
Publication in Haunt World Magazine for informative article about creating faux-brick walls March 2014
Publication on Violet Windows e-magazine for fantasy story “Karook the Sword Armed” 2016
Publication on Hello Horror e-magazine for flash fiction piece “Cecelia” 2017
Interview with MakeupMag.com for work with House of Shock makeup artistry October 2017
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
Mellon Summer Scholars, Xavier University of Louisiana Library, Summer 2024 & 2025
Mellon Summer Scholars are non-traditional students readying themselves to enter or re-enter university education. Bringing them an introduction to university level research and presentation writing twice a week for an hour for 8 weeks over summer.
Maker Monday, Xavier University of Louisiana Library, 2023-ongoing
Helping students relax and recharge in the Innovation Studio through hands on, creative projects such as crafting their own journals from scratch and beading stretch bracelets.
Library Lessons, Xavier University of Louisiana, Summer 2024 & 2025
Leading a team of librarians to create bite size, online, interactive, asynchronous library lessons via LibWizard technology.
FYRE and GRADStar, Xavier University of Louisiana, Summer 2023 & 2024
Assisting specially selected, grad school bound students to create a research project over 8 weeks of the summer with twice weekly, one-hour lessons on information literacy, writing with research, and using library resources.
Info Bites, Xavier University of Louisiana Library, Spring 2023
Each session in Spring 2023 was an interactive, game-type session based on a frame from ACRL Framework for Information Literacy. Hosted in the library with snacks.
Team Leader for Student Worker Wiki, Loyola University New Orleans, 2017
Lead my team of 2 part time and 2 full time staff members to create a wiki for front desk student workers to help them offer the highest quality customer service. This wiki was requested by student workers through a formal small group interview research study pioneered by myself.
Leader of Student Worker Resume Workshop Series, Loyola University New Orleans, 2017
I worked together with the Loyola University career center to create a series of workshops for front desk student workers to transform their experiences into usable content for resumes.
ALA Student Chapter President, LSU MLIS, 2016
Pushed for and created an introductory packet for students entering the program to orient them to resources and people to help them on their graduate degree journey.
HONORS, AWARDS, and GRANTS
HONORS, AWARDS, and GRANTS
ALA Building Library Capacity Grant Award, from ALA, 2023
Conference Travel Award, Louisiana State University, 2016
Teaching Assistantship, University of New Orleans, 2008-2010
Graduate Assistantship, University of New Orleans, 2007-2008
TOPS Award, Loyola University New Orleans, 2003-2007
Times Picayune Scholarship, Loyola University New Orleans, 2003-2007
Deans Scholarship, Loyola University New Orleans, 2003-2007
SERVICE
SERVICE
Louisiana Library Association, Legislation Committee, 2025-2027
American Literature Search Committee, 2024-2025
PRESENTATIONS
PRESENTATIONS
Bufford, Emily and Haroon, Ashaki. (2025). Fresh and Soph-t: Preparing Early Career Students for Workforce and Study. Presentation at ACRL national conference April 2025.
Bufford, Emily and Haroon, Ashaki. (2024). Fresh and Soph-t: Preparing Early Career Students for Workforce and Study. Virtual presentation for LUC-E the virtual Louis Users Conference March 2024.
Bufford, Emily and Haroon, Ashaki. (2023). Fresh and Soph-t: Preparing Early Career Students for Workforce and Study. Presentation at LUC-Louis Users Conference October 2023.
Bufford, Emily. (2016). What NOT to Do: Public Library Computer Classes. Lightning Round presentation at NOLA Information Literacy Conference. New Orleans, LA.
COURSES
COURSES
LIS 7000 Information and Society: Information as a concept, and its uses and meanings in contemporary global society.
LIS 7011 Information Needs and Information Seeking: User-centered approaches to meeting information needs of individuals and communities; community analysis, user studies and user-centered design of services and resources. Closing the New Digital Divide paper written for this course.
LIS 7912 Science Fiction and Fantasy in Libraries: Examining current and past science fiction and fantasy novels for use in the library setting, including childrens, teens, and adult literature. Teen Writing Program paper written for this course.
LIS 5485 Introduction to Information Technology: This course introduces students to Information Technology (IT) on a theoretical and practical level. The course reviews the underlying concepts of IT as embodied in operating systems, hardware, application software, website creation and networks. When the Mayo Spills Over: A Piggybacking Story paper written for this course. Evaluating my computer's performance.
LIS 5565 Information Needs of Young Adults: An overview of the characteristics and the information needs of young adults and the resources and strategies that may assist adults and youth in meeting these needs. Developmental stages of young adults are taken into consideration in understanding their information needs. Book Talk video for this course. Comparing and contrasting The Handmaid's Tale novel and graphic novel. Also, a final poetry anthology.
LIS 5408 Management of Information Organizations: This is an introductory course in management of information organizations within a variety of organizational contexts. It is designed to develop a conceptual framework for integrating fundamental management concepts, principles, policies, theories, and practices into an effective personal management process that relates to information organizations of the 21st century.
LIS 5524 Instructional Role of the Information Professional: This course focuses on three concepts: merging instruction theory with practice; learning how to create an instruction program; and learning how to become a successful instructor in information settings. Lesson Plan written for this course. My Personal Learning Network presentation.
LIS 5271 Research in Information Studies: This is an introductory course in applied research methods in the social sciences with a particular emphasis on information studies. It will provide an overview of the basic issues and methods that information professionals should consider when collecting, analyzing, and evaluating data regarding information programs and services.
LIS 5602 Marketing: The purpose of this course is to provide the motivated audience of students with the concepts, techniques and illustrative examples needed to develop first-rate marketing skills. These skills will facilitate strategic planning that is cost effective and customer-centered in its approach. The final project for this class was analyzing a chosen organization's marketing strategy.
LIS 5603 Introduction to Information Services: Introduces reference/information work using print and online sources; the course also explores current trends, professional topics, and issues relevant to information-providing agencies in traditional and online environments.
LIS 5703 Information Organization: Establishes conceptual and practical frameworks for organizing and retrieving information, including the study of systems, their objectives and structures, formats, standards, and vocabularies; and the information object and its relationship to organizing systems and to other information objects. For this class, I wrote both a Metadata Application Profile and Folksonomy Analyzation.
LIS 5411 Introduction to Information Policy: This course examines selected fundamental policy questions regarding information and communications, with special attention to intricate policy issues such as information ownership rights, privacy rights, and public access to information.
LIS 5564 Information Needs of Children: A study of the materials (books, magazines, video & film formats, audio, television, computer software, CD-ROMS, Internet resources, etc.) created for children, ages birth to twelve, with an emphasis on the process of evaluation in order to meet their educational, cultural, and recreational needs. Midsemester, I analyzed a picture book for any bias. I chose to create an Annotated Bibliography of STEM books for young children. For the final project, I wrote a script and designed a presentation about how to teach parents about their young children and reading.
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