John S. Spencer

Associate Professor of Library Public Services

Currently serving as Coordinator of Reference Services and Library Assessment, I've been at Gonzaga University since 2001. My primary passion is working with students and faculty on their library research projects and guiding them to the best resources....

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John Spencer

Contact Information

  • Foley Library, Room 115
  • Research Consultations via Make an Appointment (www.foley.gonzaga.edu)

Education & Curriculum Vitae

M.L.S., Southern Connecticut State University

M.A., Kent State University

B.A., Wheaton College

Currently serving as Coordinator of Reference Services and Library Assessment, I've been at Gonzaga University since 2001. My primary passion is working with students and faculty on their library research projects and guiding them to the best resources. I am very interested in figuring out the best ways to teach students critical thinking skills not only for their papers and projects but also as lifelong learners. My other passion is to figure out ways to assess student learning, and particularly learning as it relates to information literacy.

Books (Editor)

Critical Thinking Within the Library Program. Edited by John Spencer and Chris Millson-Martula. New York: Routledge, 2009 (258 pp.)

Journal Articles (Author)

Spencer, John and Christopher Millson-Martula (2006). “Serials Cancellations in College and Small University Libraries,” The Serials Librarian, 49.4: 135-156.

Spencer, John and Luene Dorsey (1998). "Reference Questions at an Urban University Library: Are Affiliated and Non-affiliated Users Equal?" Journal of Academic Librarianship. 24.4: 290-94.

Meyer, Terry and John S. Spencer (1996). "A Citation Analysis Study of Library Science: Who Cites Librarians?" College & Research Libraries. 57.1: 23-33.

Journal Special Issue (Editor)

Discovery Tools: The Next Generation of Library Research. Co-editors: John Spencer and Chris Millson-Martula. College and Undergraduate Libraries. 19:2-4, 2012 (276 pp.)

Library Transformations: From Information Commons to Learning Commons. Special Issue Co-editors: John Spencer and Chris Millson-Martula. College and Undergraduate Libraries. 17:2-3, 2010 (202 pp.)

Critical Thinking Within the Library Program. Special Issue Co-editors: John Spencer and Chris Millson-Martula. College and Undergraduate Libraries. 15:1-2, 2008 (254 pp.)

Reference and Information Services Without Walls. Co-editors: John Spencer and Chris Millson-Martula. College and Undergraduate Libraries. 13:4, 2006 (127 pp.)