About Us
Lorna Rourke
Lorna Rourke
Librarian Emerita
Library & Archives

Master of Library Science, University of Western Ontario 
MA, University of Western Ontario 
BA Honours, University of King's College

519-884-8111 

28271

Office

SH 2020
Lorna Rourke
BIOGRAPHY

I completed my undergraduate degree at King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario, a school that is similar in many ways to St. Jerome’s University—both are relatively small undergraduate universities, federated with much larger schools.  I was delighted to begin work at St. Jerome’s University in 2007, since it reminded me very much of King’s:  a small, close-knit community, where students have the chance to know the faculty and staff, to feel supported, and to excel.

 

When I’m not working to help students with their academic work, I participate in a variety of research projects.  I’ve presented and written on aspects of academic librarianship including virtual reference, and outreach.  Other current interests include generational differences and mental health issues in universities, labour issues in academic libraries, and helping students and others to understand the creation, dissemination, and evaluation of information. 

 

Outside of SJU, I’m the proud Mom of two grown sons, a flight attendant and a graduate student at Ryerson University. My husband is a librarian and a teacher of blind and visually impaired students (and we met at Library school!)

PUBLICATIONS

Chapters

Rourke, Lorna, "Then you can start to make it better: How academic libraries are promoting and fostering student wellness" in Student wellness and academic libraries: Case studies and activities for promoting health and success, Eds. Sarah Holder and Amber Lannon. Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries, 2020, 13-33.

 

Rourke, Lorna, Lorraine Carter, and Diane Janes, "Mentoring as Support for Women in Higher Education Leadership" in Women Negotiating Life in the Academy:  A Canadian Perspective, Eds. Sarah Elaine Eaton and Amy Burns.   Singapore:  Springer, 2020, 33-50.

 

Rourke, Lorna and Zack MacDonald, "Fast, Fun, Free!: Promoting Sustainability and Good Health through a Bike-Lending Program” in The Sustainable Library's Cookbook, Eds. Ray Pun and Gary Shaffer.  Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries, 2019. 

 

Carter, Lorraine and Lorna Rourke. “You’re not the Boss of Me!”:  Leading and Working with Millennials in Canadian Universities” in Exploring the Toxicity of Lateral and Micro-aggression in Multiple Context and Disciplines:  Poison in the Watercooler, Eds. Christine Cho, Julie Corkett, and Astrid Steele. Cham, Switzerland:  Palgrave MacMillan, 2018, 291-307.

 

Rourke, Lorna. “The Library’s Role in Promoting Tolerance and Diversity at a University” in The Library Innovation Toolkit: Ideas, Strategies, and Programs.  American Library Association, 2015. 

 

Rourke, Lorna and Lorne Bruce.  “Shakespeare in the L.W. Conolly Archives”, in Shakespeare:  Made in Canada, MacDonald Stewart Art Centre, 2007, 119-125.

 

Articles

Rourke, Lorna and Pascal Lupiel. "(Mis)information, information literacy, and democracy: Paths for pedagogy to foster informed citizenship". Journal of Information Literacy; vol. 15 (3), 2021, 56-81.

 

Rourke, Lorna and Pascal Lupien.  “Learning From Chatting:  How our Virtual Reference Questions are Giving us Answers”.  Evidence Based Librarianship and Information Practice; vol. 5 (2), 2010, 63-74.

 

Rourke, Lorna and Pascal Lupien. “Out of the Question!  How we are using our Students’ Virtual Reference Questions to add a Personal Touch to a Virtual World”. Evidence-based Librarianship and Information Practice; vol. 2 (2), 2007, 67-80.

 

Rourke, Lorna and Justin Harrison.  “The benefits of buy-in:  Integrating information literacy into each year of an academic program”.  Reference Services Review; vol. 34 (4), 2006, 599-606.

 

Presentations/ Conference Papers

The Insider-Outsider Female Leader in Universities:  The Literature, Lived Experiences, and Entrepreneurial Escapades.”  Canadian Association for University Continuing Education Conference, Edmonton, Alberta / Online, May 2021.  Presented with Dr. Lorraine Carter, McMaster University, and Dr. Diane Janes, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

 

“It’s Complicated: Life and Mental Health Challenges Faced by Adult Learners in Universities.” ICDE World Conference on Online Learning, Dublin, Ireland, November 2019.  Presented with Dr. Lorraine Carter, McMaster University. 

 

“Teaching and Learning about Reactionary Populism:  How Educators Can Make a Social Difference.” International Conference on Learning, Belfast, Northern Ireland, July 2019.  Presented with Dr. Pascal Lupien, University of Alberta. 

 

“Understanding, Supporting, and Empowering Adult Learners in Universities.”  Teaching Professor Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, June 2019. Presented with Dr. Lorraine Carter, McMaster University. 

 

How Can Universities Empower Online Learners?”  Magna Corporation Twenty Minute Mentor Online Presentation. June 2019. Presented with Dr. Lorraine Carter, McMaster University. https://www.magnapubs.com/product/program/how-can-universities-empower-adult-learners/ 

 

“Understanding and Helping Students Succeed: Addressing Generational Differences & Mental Health Issues in Universities.”  International Academic Forum on Education (IAFOR), International Conference on Education, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 2019.  Presented with Dr. Lorraine Carter, McMaster University.  http://iafor.org/archives/conference-programmes/iicehawaii/iicehawaii-programme-2019.pdf   

 

“Forging Futures in Stormy Times: Student, Instructor and Institutional Challenges in Online University Continuing Education.”  Online Learning 2018:  Teaching & Learning in the Digital Age Conference, Toronto, October 2018.  Presented with Dr. Lorraine Carter, McMaster University.  

 

“Today’s Adult Learner:  From Learning to Mental Health to Support for Students with Disabilities”.   Change and Constants: The Realities of Successful Teaching & Learning Conference, McMaster University, Hamilton, February 2018.  Presented with Dr. Lorraine Carter, McMaster University.

 

“Using Open Educational Resources to Support the Learning Experiences of Adult Learners from Underrepresented Populations.” World Conference on Open Learning (International Council for Open and Distance Education), Toronto, October 2017. Presented with Dr. Lorraine Carter, McMaster University.

 

Responding to the Learning & Mental Health Needs of Millennial Students at University:  The Journey to a Better Way.” Higher Education in Teaching & Learning Conference, Paisley, Scotland, 30 June 2017.  Presented with Dr. Lorraine Carter, McMaster University.

 

Alice and the Cheshire Cat Weigh in on Today’s Millennial Student in Canadian Universities.” Society for Teaching & Learning in Higher Education Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 21 June 2017.  Presented with Dr. Lorraine Carter, McMaster University.

 

“Information and Reactionary Populism”. Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians Conference (Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities), May 2017. Presented with Dr. Pascal Lupien, University of Guelph.

 

Real or Fake? How fake news affects society, and what libraries and librarians can do about it.” Michigan Library Association Academic Libraries Conference, March 2017.  Presented with Dr. Pascal Lupien, University of Guelph. 

 

“Photo Booths, Living Libraries and Therapy Dogs: Community Engagement in Academic Libraries.” Canadian Library Association, Victoria, B.C., May 2014.  Presented with Nancy Collins, University of Waterloo.

 

“Virtual reference: Where has it been and where is it going? A systematic review of the literature, 2000-2012. EBLIP7:  Evidence Based Librarianship and Information Practice Conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, July 2013. Presented with Pascal Lupien, University of Guelph.

 

Managing a Virtual Pandemic:  Using Technology Well for Work and Life.” Society for Teaching & Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) Conference in Sydney, Nova Scotia, June 2013. Presented with Dr. Lorraine Carter, Nipissing University.

 

Therapy Dogs, Exam-time Cookies, and Banning Books: Community Engagement in Academic Libraries.” Atlantic Provinces Library Association (APLA) Conference in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, May 2013. Presented with Nancy Collins, University of Waterloo and Susan Shepley, Seneca College.

 

“Helping Students Become Digitally Literate through Empowerment and Active Learning.” New York Library Association Conference in Saratoga Springs, New York, March 2013.

GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, AWARDS

Awards
Ontario College & University Library Association Lifetime Achievement Award (2009)
Academic Librarianship Award, University of Guelph Faculty Association (2004)

COURSES TAUGHT

Academic Libraries, Master of Library & Information Science Program, Faculty of Information and Media Studies, University of Western Ontario

Academic Libraries, Library Techniques Program, Mohawk College

PROFESSIONAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

Professional

Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians: Conference Organizing Committee; Conference Program Committee Co-Chair (July 2017—June 2018)

Canadian Library Association Executive Council (January 2014—June 2017)

Canadian Library Association Conference Planning Committee (2011-2013)

Canadian Library Association Miles Blackwell Award for Outstanding Academic Librarian Committee (2011)

Ontario College & University Library Association Academic Librarianship Award Committee (1994, 2010)

Ontario Library Association:  Ontario College and University Library Association President(1992-1993); OLA Board of Directors (1991-1993); OCULA Past-President (1993—1994); OCULA Vice-President (1991—1992); OCULA Secretary/Treasurer (1987—1991); OCULA representative on OLA Conference Planning Committee (1987—1988)

 

Administrative

St. Jerome’s University

Executive, Academic Staff Association (2010 – Present)

Chair, Betty G. Headley Essay Award Committee (2007-Present)

Member/Chair, Library Committee (2007-2018)

 

Community

Member/Vice-Chair, Guelph Public Library Board (1995-2001)

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