Dawn Zimmerer

Research & Fellowship

Research Fellow, Center for Engaged Learning, Elon University

2026–2028 Research Seminar: Rethinking Engaged Learning in the Age of Generative AI

Research focus: library-led AI literacy instruction in a community college context, with attention to verification practices, transparency habits, student agency, and responsible AI use in the research process.

Core Competencies

Professional Experience

Administrative Librarian, McLendon Library, Hinds Community College

Raymond, Mississippi | 2023–Present

• Lead operations, services, staff coordination, scheduling, student support, and public-facing functions for McLendon Library.
• Serve as Head of Circulation for the six-campus Hinds Community College library system.
• Teach bibliographic and information literacy instruction and develop LibGuides, Canvas materials, tutorials, handouts, and research guides.
• Built a library-led AI literacy ecosystem connecting generative AI use with information literacy, verification, transparency, academic integrity, and responsible decision-making.
• Designed and delivered AI professional development for approximately 100 faculty and staff participants.
• Facilitated eight AI Salons for campus discussion of emerging technologies, teaching practices, student AI use, and institutional response.
• Created a standalone Canvas AI Literacy module and practical resources for faculty, staff, and students.
• Created the Zen Zone in 2025 with support from a Mental Health Services grant donation.

Adult and Youth Services Director, Madison County Library System

Canton, Mississippi | 2018–2023

• Directed adult and youth services across a five-branch public library system.
• Managed approximately $200,000 in collections funding and $20,000 in programming funding.
• Expanded youth and adult programming by more than 25% and designed Nerd Camp, a STEAM-based youth program.
• Secured more than $40,000 in grant funding for technology, programming, outreach, and expanded library services.

Senior Librarian, The New York Public Library

Bronx, New York | 2014–2018

• Managed young adult services, programming, outreach, and collection development at the West Farms and Wakefield branches.
• Built the Wakefield branch YA/Teen program after a multi-year service gap.
• Received the NYPL Library Leadership Award for leadership during an active shooter crisis.
• Served on the NYPL YA Advisory Committee and co-founded the Bronx Peer Circle for YA librarians.

Teaching & Instruction

• Teach bibliographic and information literacy instruction with regular support for Speech courses.
• Create LibGuides, Canvas materials, tutorials, handouts, and research guides supporting source evaluation and research planning.
• Develop instruction connecting information literacy to AI literacy, emphasizing verification, source responsibility, transparency, and student agency.

Selected Projects & Initiatives

• AI Literacy Ecosystem, Hinds Community College: Faculty professional development, AI Salons, student-facing Canvas instruction, and practical guidance connecting AI use to verification, transparency, information literacy, academic integrity, and responsible adoption.
• Canvas AI Literacy Module: Standalone module for course integration emphasizing AI limitations, source checking, disclosure, and responsible use.
• Zen Zone, McLendon Library: Student-centered space advancing wellness, belonging, accessibility, and neurodiversity-aware library service.
• Nerd Camp, Madison County Library System: STEAM-based youth program incorporating engineering, coding, podcasting, 3D printing, tabletop gaming, and creative learning.

Education

Southern Connecticut State University

Master of Library Science

Converse University

Bachelor of Arts, Theatre and History of Religions; minors in Computer Science and Business Administration

Professional Leadership & Service

• Mississippi Library Association, President
• Mississippi Library Association Social Justice Roundtable, Co-Founder and Chair
• Mississippi Library Association Gaming & Graphic Novels Roundtable, Co-Chair
• American Library Association Rainbow Booklist Committee, 2025–2027
• American Library Association, national youth literature selection list service

Selected Presentations

• Zimmerer, D. (Accepted, June 2026). From AI Anxiety to AI Literacy: How One Community College Library Built a Campus-Wide Learning Ecosystem. Connecticut Library Association Annual Conference.
• Zimmerer, D. (Accepted, July 2026). From AI Anxiety to AI Literacy: Building a Practical, Equity-Focused Learning Ecosystem in a Community College Library. LiLi Conference.
• Zimmerer, D. (Accepted, July 2026). From AI Anxiety to AI Literacy: How One Library Built a Campus-Wide Learning Ecosystem. GAIL Conference.
• Zimmerer, D. (Accepted, July 2026). Not the AI Police: Week 3 Student AI Literacy That Sticks. LiLi Conference.
• Zimmerer, D. (May 2026). From Ocean to Output: Teaching AI Literacy for Marine and Aquatic Research in an Era of Uncertainty. SAIL/Cyamus Joint Annual Conference.
• Zimmerer, D. (April 2026). AI in Action: A Practical Guide for Teaching and Research. COSUGI Conference.
• Zimmerer, D. (April 2026). AI in Action: A Practical Guide for Teaching and Research. Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival.
• Zimmerer, D. (April 2025). AI in Education: A Salon-Style Discussion. Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival.
• Zimmerer, D. (March 2025). From AI-eee! to AI-mazing: Navigating Educational Technology Together. Spring Forward Librarians Conference.
• Zimmerer, D. (October 2024). AI in Education: A Salon-Style Discussion. Mississippi Library Association Annual Conference.

Selected Training & Credentials

• Law for Librarians State Trainer
• Library Advocacy training
• Youth Mental Health First Aid