The library is a special place, a hub of research and knowledge open to all, but for librarian Dr. Kristen Jacobson, it’s even more. Part of Jacobson’s role as librarian is to help inquiring minds search for their needs in the library. In aiding students, she found a love for learning and researching data collection, particularly, the way libraries and databases help students.

In her career, Jacobson has noticed a trend that students face usability problems within library databases. This fascination sprouted into something much more impactful when Jacobson decided to pursue a PhD in instructional technology. To attain a PhD, one must conduct original research, and for Jacobson, she conducted a study on the usability of library databases for foreign students.

Jacobson was able to be in a lab where she used special forms of technology to study the patterns of students.

“With the eye-tracking, you can see where [students] are going, what they’re looking at, and what pathways they take for their searches,”  Jacobson said.

Jacobson can apply her knowledge from research at South helping students, Jacobson explained. She aids various teachers with research projects for students by helping find their perfect source with candor and joy, Ryan Kinsella, Social Studies Teacher explained.

“[Jacobson] can help students when they have an abstract idea, figure out how to turn [it] into a topic,” Kinsella said. “[She] can help them find the resources they need whether it’s a cool primary source, like a newspaper article from 100-years-ago. She has been such a great resource for kids.”

Students have overwhelmingly expressed their gratitude towards Jacobson’s research resources, Kinsella said.

Junior Nicole Kayumov has worked with Jacobson in her Advanced Placement United States History class, and Kayumov explained how helpful Jacobson was in the research process.

“[Students] can find non-credible information, [however Jacobson] helps us locate the credible information and [she] knows which websites and resources are going to be beneficial for us,” Kayumov said.

Jacobson is equally grateful for the students at South as they inspired her to return to school and earn her PhD. Her work has propelled her towards the aspiration of a brighter future for the world of instructional technology.

“Hopefully, I can help people design things that will be better and more able to support people’s diverse research needs,” Jacobson said.