Simmons College

Sarah Bordac is currently the Head of Outreach and Instructional Design at the Brown University Library. She manages the user research and interface services group in the Library's Integrated Technology Services division, where she seeks to understand and support the research, teaching and learning practices of users. Sarah is pursuing a doctorate in LIS in the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science with a research interest in undergraduate media literacy skills. After receiving a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in visual media from The American University, Sarah earned a M.A. in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology in 2001 with an emphasis on active learning strategies for young adult and adult learners. Prior to joining Brown University in 2005, Sarah was a project manager and educational consultant for technology-supported instructional projects for entities such as the Museum of Tolerance/Library and Archives, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Center for Media Literacy. She has developed projects in technology-enhanced library and museum learning environments, web-based instruction, and public television educational programming.

Sarah received the ACRL New England Chapter's award for best paper 2009 with co-author Jean Rainwater for "User-Centered Design in Practice: The Brown University Experience," and was awarded an Academic Research Libraries' Academy Fellowship (2007-2008). Her Brown collaborations include initiatives with colleagues in the Dean of the College's office, Department of Computer Science, Academic Technology Services, Computing and Information Services, and the Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning.