Education

B.A., Sociology, Boston University
B.S., Advertising, Boston University
M.L.I.S., Rutgers University
Ph.D., Library & Information Science, Rutgers University

Research

Dr. Vanessa Kitzie studies the information practices of marginalized groups, with a focus on LGBTQ+ people and communities. Her research findings inform how information centers, such as libraries, and systems can better serve these individuals. Kitzie's  work is interdisciplinary, spanning library and information science, communication, sociology, and critical studies.

Funded Research

Principal Investigator. Developing Training for and Establishing Partnerships between Community Health Workers and Medical Librarians for LGBTQIA+ Health Promotion. Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Leadership Grants - Libraries. $357,367. 2020-2022. More info»

2018-Present Examining Public Library Service to LGBTQ+ Communities for Health Information, IMLS. PI. A three-year investigation into how public libraries can promote the health of their LGBTQ+ communities. $298,000. More info»

Co-Principal Investigator. Library Staff and Drag Queen Perspectives and Decision-Making About Drag Queen Storytimes (ALA Diversity Grant). Interviewing public library staff and drag queens to explore factors influencing decisions to host or not host these storytimes, supports and challenges encountered when hosting, strategies used to address these challenges, and how drag queen storytimes may complement existing library programs and services. $2,500.

Teaching

Kitzie's teaching is driven by students’ individual research and practice interests and supports these interests with class readings, lectures, and discussions. By the end of the class, she aims to have worked with students to develop their critical thinking skills, not only within the realm of theory and practice but also related to cultural competency. Currently, she is teaching Information Transfer and Introduction to Library and Information Studies.

Recent Publications

Kitzie, V., Floegel, D., Barriage, S., & Oltmann, S.M. (2022). How visibility, hypervisibility, and invisibility shape library staff and drag performer perceptions of and experiences with drag storytimes in public libraries. The Library Quarterly: Information, Communication, Policy, 92(3), 215–240.

Kitzie, V., Wagner, T.L, Lookingbill, V., & Vera, A.N. (2022). Advancing information practices theoretical discourses centered on marginality, community, and embodiment: Learning from the experiences of LGBTQIA+ communities [Special issue, “Information Behaviour & Information Practices Theory”]. Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology (JASIS&T), Eds. R. Wilson, D. Allen, H. Julien, G. Burnett.

Kitzie, V., Wagner, T.L., & Vera, A.N. (2021). Discursive power and resistance in the information worlds maps of LGBTQIA+ community leaders. Journal of Documentation 77(3), 638–662.

Kitzie, V., Wagner, T.L., & Vera, N. (2020). “In the beginning, it was little whispers…now, we’re almost a roar”: Conceptualizing a model for community and self in LGBTQ+ health information practices. In A. Sundqvist, G. Berget, J. NolinKjell, & I. Skjerdingstad (Eds.), Sustainable digital communities: 15th International Conference, iConference 2020, Boras, Sweden, March 23–26, 2020, Proceedings (pp. 15–31). Switzerland, AG: Springer, Cham.

Service

Chair, iSchool BSIS Committee, 2021 – Present