Research and Writing
Joe collaborated on two papers: Both working with Dr. Hyerim Cho and other authors. The first paper is in the field of knowledge organization and is uses user responses to construct a mood taxonomy for use and retrieval of works of fiction, the second paper is a content analysis piece on user reviews of LBGTQ+ inclusive video games, and user reception of depictions of identity. Joe collaborated on a group narrative study of first-generation college students experiences with higher ed during the pandemic (SU 2021) using Vosso’s Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) theory. Joe is presently working on a project that investigates librarians’ experiences of intellectual freedom challenges, and links these experiences to information seeking behaviors and information ecologies within the profession. Since his residency, Joe has also worked on projects for understanding how libraries responded to COVID-19, as well as studies on information seeking, and uses and gratification theory applied to video game players and readers of Webtoons. Please see examples of published and in-process works below within the 2021-22 period.
Kohlburn, J., Cho, H., & Moore, H. (2022). Players’ perceptions of sexuality and gender-inclusive video games a pragmatic content analysis of steam reviews. Convergence. https://doi.org/10.1177/13548565221137481
Cho, H, Lee, WC, Huang, C and J Kohlburn. (2022). User-centered categorization of mood in fiction. Journal of Documentation, (Ahead of print). https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-03-2022-0071
Teaching
Joe has taught ISLT 2222 – Information Management and the Successful Scholar in past semesters previous to 2021, and in FA 2021 he worked as a GA for Dr. Cho on ISLT 7305. Joe helped Dr. Cho develop parts of the 7305 course modules, including a section on ethics and another on diversity. Joe has previous experience teaching at the graduate level at both University of Missouri and University of Kentucky. Below is a list of courses he has taught over his career.
University of Missouri
Foundations of Library and Information Science (ISLT 7305)
Information Literacy (ISLT 2222)
Adult Services in Libraries (ISLT 9435)
University of Kentucky
Reference Services (LIS 621)
Information Seeking (LIS 601)
Technologies for Information Services (IS 201/ICT 201)
Professional Service
Joe serves on the state level on the Missouri Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee, and served as the incoming chair between 2021-22. This dovetails neatly into his research interests in activism and intellectual freedom, and includes collaborating and strategizing at the local, state, and national level on book challenges, the status of librarians and information professionals in institutions and culture and providing context for the sociological and political challenges faced in these cases for his collaborators and colleagues. Joe also collaborated with MLA leaders to organize an intellectual freedom preconference (Sept 29, 2021) developed by staff at MCPL that librarians and staff how to deal with common issues in intellectual freedom and promotes critical reflexivity with regard to policy and process decisions at the local institutional level. He led the committee to offer multiple workshops throughout the state for librarians and library workers teaching how to advocate for intellectual freedom in the library. Joe has served as the de facto media coordinator for the Missouri Library Association since 2021. Below are a selection of workshops, media appearances, and other professional service.
Kohlburn, J. (2022, January 31). Letter from Missouri Library Association to Wentzville school board president. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Stltoday.com. https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/letter-from-missouri-library-association-to-wentzville-school-board-president/article_5583141d-3148-5ce8-a516-86d95395b9ec.html
Mautino, T, Norman, C, & Kohlburn, J. “Access Challenged: An Introduction to Intellectual Freedom Workshop.” Missouri Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee. September 29, 2020.
Professional Participation
Joe has served as a research subject in several of his colleagues’ studies throughout the 2021-22 year, via online survey and in-person interviews. Joe drove from St. Louis to Columbia twice a week for class during Fall 2021, and maintains professional relationships with students and faculty working in collaboration with colleagues on their own research as well as inviting colleagues to contribute to his own.
Joe Kohlburn 