Davida Scharf, M.L.S., Ph.D.
Education
Ph.D. Rutgers, School of Communication and Information
M.L.S. Library and Information Science, Columbia University
A.B., Art & Architectural History, Barnard College
Experience
Consultant in Research, Teaching, and
Information Management present
Leonia, NJ
Conduct contract research, teaching, and advising on libraries, instruction in information literacy, question formulation. Founder researchroadmaps.org
Director of Reference & Instruction
Van Houten Library
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ
Member of the management team. Responsible for collection development, and management of 3 technical reference librarians serving as instructional and liaison librarians and student assistants. Reference serves as the human interface to the library sources and services, collaborates in new technology, collection, and customer service improvements. Early technology adopter, and innovator in chat, information literacy, researcher support, and creative use of marketing tools for internal communications.
Adjunct Professor
Palmer School of Library and Information Studies
Long Island University
Brookville, NY
Taught Organization of Knowledge for two semesters to students in the Masters in Library & Information Science.
President/Principal Consultant
NKR Associates, Inc.
Fort Lee, NJ
Established my own information management consulting firm. Conducted research and advised and executed digital, archival, records management, and library projects for corporate, non-profits, and academic institutions. Some typical clients: Downstate Medical Center Library, Berlex Laboratories, Direct Marketing Association, Buck Consultants, Brookdale Community College Library, Rutgers University Libraries, Ramapo College Library, etc.
Director
Library, University of LaVerne Athens
Kifissia, Greece
Hands-on management of all aspects of planning and library operations at the suburban Athens campus of the University of LaVerne. Staff of 5 serving approximately 1000 students–undergraduates and an MBA program. Initiated access to the Internet, electronic serials, remote databases, and established interlibrary loan service through the British Library.
Director
Engineering Societies Library & Archive
ESL Document Delivery Service
United Engineering Trustees
New York, NY
Directed this historic NYC library and archive. Reorganized stacks and public areas. Established a fee-based research and document delivery service to help support the library. Planned closing of the facility and placement of valuable materials when property was sold. Budget $2 million.
Manager
Strategic Planning / Head, Information Access Center
NYNEX Corporation
White Plains, NY
Began as a single researcher, and asked to establish and develop this mostly digital internal corporate research service for a former Baby Bell company with over 90,000 employees in the NY-New England area. Worked with top executives and the chairman. Established a secondary site for R&D research support. Hired and supervised a staff of 15. Planned spaces. Budget: $2.5 million. Conducted and supervised competitive intelligence work. Helped evaluate technical projects such as machine learning, mobile technology, and also Mergers & Acquisitions opportunities.
Publications and Presentations
Current Research
Primary Investigator: Cross-Institutional Assessment of Information Literacy. Sponsored by the NJ Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries. Link
Doctoral Dissertation
Scharf, D. (2013). An Intervention and Assessment to Improve Information Literacy. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Rutgers University. School of Communication & Information. New Brunswick, NJ. Link
Scholarly Publications
Scharf, D., & Dera, J. (2021). Question formulation for information literacy: Theory and practice. The Journal of Academic Librarianship. 47(4), 102365. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ACALIB.2021.102365
Egan, R., Fjermestad, J. Scharf, D. (2017). The Use of Mastery Quizzes to Enhance Student Preparation. Manuscript accepted. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice. Link
Dera, J., Scharf, D., Borgaonkar, A. (2020) Promoting engineering research early – Using the Question Formulation Technique: A case study of first-year engineering course. Paper accepted for the 2020 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Montréal, Québec, Canada, June 21 – 24, 2020. Link
Scharf, D., Thomas, E. (2016) Practical Assessment of Information Literacy for Business Majors Using a Validated Rubric. Abstract and ppt. Manuscript in Preparation.
Dempsey, M.E., Dalal, H., Dokus, L.R. , Charles, L.H., Scharf, D. (2015) Continuing the Conversation: Questions about the Framework. Communications in Information Literacy. 9(2): 164-175. Link
Scharf, D. (2014). Instruction and Assessment of Information Literacy among STEM majors. Proceedings of the 2014 IEEE Integrated STEM Education Conference (ISEC). Princeton, NJ. March 8, 2014. Link
Scharf, D. (2013). College Students as Wikipedia Editors: New Pathways to Information Literacy. In M. Deyrup & B. Bloom (Eds.), Successful Strategies for Teaching Undergraduate Student Research: Scarecrow Press. 155-170. See book review in Library Journal.
Scharf, D. (2010). A New View of Patient Education: How Information and Knowledge Management Can Contribute to Patient-Centered Health Care. In A.W. Hastings, & C. McInerney, (Eds.) Knowledge Work. New Brunswick, NJ. The Knowledge Institute. Rutgers University. 139-158. knowledgeinstitute.rutgers.edu/KWFull.pdf Link
Katz, I. R., Elliot, N., Attali, Y., Scharf, D., Powers, D., Huey, H., et al. (2008). The Assessment of Information Literacy: A Case Study. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service. Document Number RR-08-33. Cited: 7. Link
Orzano, A. J., McInerney, C. R., Tallia, A. F., Scharf, D., & Crabtree, B. F. (2008). Family medicine practice performance and knowledge management. Health Care Management Review, 33(1), 21-28. Cited: 27. Link
Orzano, A. J., McInerney, C. R., Tallia, A. F., Scharf, D., & Crabtree, B. F. (2008). A knowledge management model: Implications for enhancing quality in health care. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 59(3), 489-505. Cited: 59. Link
Scharf, D., Elliot, N., Huey, H.A., Briller, V., & Joshi, K. (2007). Direct Assessment of Information Literacy using Writing Portfolios. Journal of Academic Librarianship. 33(4), 462-477. Cited: 93. Link
Workshops and Conference Presentations
Scharf, D. (2017). Communicate like a marketer. Conference talk Diving Deep: Exploring New Possibilities in Information Literacy and Assessment Summer 2017 Workshop. ACRL-NJ User Education Committee & ACRL-NJ Assessment Committee. Morris County CC, Randoph, NJ.
Egan, R., Fjermestad, J. Scharf, D. (2017). The Use of Mastery Quizzes to Enhance Student Preparation. Conference paper presented at the Western Decision Sciences Institute (WDSI) Conference 2017. April 4-8, 2017, Vancouver, BC. abstract
Thomas, E., Scharf, D. (2016). Practical Assessment of Business Research & Writing: Metrics and Methods. AACSB International 2016 Assessment Conference: Driving Accountability and Innovation, Charlotte, NC, March 6-8, 2016. abstract
Terng, C., Scharf, D. (2016). Online Research Profiles: Helping Faculty Make their Research More Visible on the Web. VALE (Virtual Academic Library Environment) Annual Conference., Friday, January 15, 2016. Piscataway, NJ. (peer-reviewed). abstract
Scharf, D. (2015), Research Roadmaps: A practical model for embedding critical thinking, research skills and their assessment across the undergraduate curriculum. 17th Annual International Conference on Education sponsored by the Education Unit of the Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER), Athens, Greece. May 18-21, 2015. abstract
Scharf, D. Berg, C. Dalal, H., Piekart, A., Richel, L. (2015). ACRL Standards vs. The Framework—what are the issues and why should you care? Sixteenth Annual Users’ VALE Conference. Friday, January 9, 2015. “On the Road to Excellence: Library Pathways to Student and Faculty Success. ” Piscataway, NJ. (peer-reviewed).
Scharf, D. (2014). Information Literacy Assessment Training & Scoring Session: How do we know if our students are educated users of information? Have they learned what we are trying to teach them? Workshop held on June 10, 2014 at NJIT and July 22, 2014 at Rutgers University.
Scharf, D. (2014). College Students as Wikipedia Editors: An Engaging Assignment. Faculty Showcase. NJEDge.Net 15th Annual Faculty Showcase: Best Practices. Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ. March 28, 2014.
Scharf, D. (2013). Testing a New Model for Core Competency Assessment. International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference (ISSOTL) Conference. Raleigh, NC. October 2-5, 2013. “Critical Transitions in Teaching and Learning.” (peer-reviewed).
Scharf, D. (2013) Using Wikipedia in Teaching Information Literacy at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. June 12, 2013. Metropolitan New York Library Council. New York, NY.
Scharf, D. (2013). Let your Assignment do the Teaching: Aligning Objectives, Assignment, and Assessment. VALE Assessment Fair, May 23, 2013.
Scharf, D. & Dalal, H. (2011) Too Few Librarians, Too Many Students: Moving a Successful Information Literacy Program Online. Twelfth Annual Users’ VALE Conference. Wednesday, January 5, 2011. “Strengthening Connections: Keeping Our Libraries Vital” Piscataway, NJ. (peer-reviewed).
Scharf, D. (May 2010). Seminar on Business Information Sources. Venture Acceleration Bootcamp May 18-21, Sponsored by the NJIT Center for Innovation Acceleration and National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance.
Scharf, D., and Lipuma, J. (2010). College Students as Wikipedia Authors. Invited talk and conversation with educational planners at Wikimedia Foundation. May 11-12, 2010.
Scharf, D., & Coakley, J. (2010). Information Literacy: Required. VALE Annual Conference, January 2010. Piscataway, NJ. (peer-reviewed).
Scharf, D. (Dec 2010, 2009, 2008) Career Day. Beyond Google. Presentation to High School Teachers at Newark College of Engineering, NJIT.
Scharf, D. (2009). Information Literacy Planning and Assessment. Provost’s University Lecture. New Jersey Institute of Technology. Sept 2009.
Scharf, D. and James Lipuma (2009). Mythbusting: College students as Wikipedia editors, a surprising new pathway to information literacy. Paper presented at the Ninth International Conference of MERLOT – Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching. Teaching and Learning in a Networked World. August 13-16, 2009, San Jose, California. http://www.screencast.com/t/eKYINnpF (peer-reviewed).
Scharf, Davida and James Lipuma. College Students as Wikipedia Authors: New pathways to information literacy. New Jersey Library Association (NJLA)/ CUS (College and University Section (CUS) /Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL NJ) Joint Annual Conference, April 27-29, 2009 in Long Branch, NJ.
Huey, H. and Davida Scharf. Direct Assessment of Information Literacy Through Portfolio Assessment. VALE Conference, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ January 2009.
Scharf, Davida and Heather Huey. iSkills@NJIT. VALE Conference, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ January 2009.
Metzger, M. & Davida Scharf (2007, June) Portfolios and Information Literacy Assessment. Poster session presented at the biannual meeting of the Association for College and Research Libraries (ACRL), March 29-April1, Baltimore, MD. (peer-reviewed).
Scharf, Davida. ETS and ICT Literacy. Colloquium at Rutgers University. 2007.
Scharf, Davida. Workshop on Information Literacy. Fairleigh Dickinson University. January 10, 2007.
Scharf, Davida and Norbert Elliot. Direct Assessment of Information Literacy Using Writing Portfolios. Workshop for faculty at the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, Queens College, May 2006.
Scharf, Davida. IM Reference. Workshop for librarians on chat reference. InfoLINK. Old Bridge, New Jersey. April 22, 2006.
Scharf, Davida. If they’ve eaten your lunch, better start preparing dinner: Finding our place in a world of hype Keynote Speech. SUNY Library Association Annual Conference, New Paltz, NY. June 2005.
Scharf, Davida and Heather Huey. Zeek2Find: A Constructivist Approach to Information Literacy Training Using a Computer Game. The 33rd National LOEX Conference, Louisville, Kentucky. May 12-14, 2005. (peer-reviewed)
Brody, Roberta and Davida Scharf. Business Reference Sources: Workshop for Librarian. SLA Annual Conference. June, 2004 .
Scharf, Davida. E-Journal Management: Open URLs and Linkserver implementation: how to manage electronic and print subscription information for better access and serials management. Full day workshop presented at METRO in New York, NY. April 1, 2003 and March 23, 2004.
Scharf, Davida. Technology and the Future of Electronic Journals. TechDay, SLA Washington/Maryland Chapter. Washington, DC. October 2003.
Scharf, Davida. OpenURLs and Beyond. InfoToday2003, E-Libraries Track. New York, NY. May 6-8, 2003
Scharf, Davida. Open URLs and E-Journal Management. Full day workshop presented at METRO. New York, NY. April 2003 and October 2003.
Scharf, Davida. Not Your Usual Librarian. Presentation to the NJ Special Libraries Association, IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, March 12, 2003.
Bigelow, Deborah and Davida Scharf. “How to Help Your Middle School Child with Research: Information Power for Middle Schoolers.” Workshop for parents at the Leonia Public Library, February 12, 2003.
Scharf, Davida. Open URLS and E-Journal Management: A Case Study. Presentation at the VALE Conference. Piscataway, NJ January 2003.
Scharf, Davida. Technology and E-Journal Management. TechDay, SLA Washington DC Chapter. October 2002.
Scharf, Davida. Electronic Serials. Eliminating Periodical Overlap. InfoToday2002 Conference, New York, NY. May 2002.
Scharf, Davida. Managing Content: Trends and Tools, Moderator at Computers in Libraries, Washington, DC, March 13-17, 2001.
Scharf, Davida. Databases for Collection Management. Lower Hudson Conference, Annual Meeting. Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, New York. May 2000.
Scharf, Davida. Building a Knowledgebase, Computers in Libraries Conference, Washington, DC, March 15-17, 2000., and published in the conference proceedings.
Scharf, Davida. The State of Existing Systems. A Conference for the Exploration of a National Engineering Information Service. Council on Library Resources. Palm Coast, FL. June 1992.
Scharf, Davida. An Engineering Archive: Issues of Preservation and Access. Computers in Libraries Conference. New York. Spring 1991.
Scharf, Davida. Corporate Library as a Profit Center. London Online Meeting, 1984, and published in the Conference Proceedings.
Professional Writing
An Open Letter Regarding the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education (December 2014). Link
Scharf, Davida. (2003) OpenURLs and Beyond. Proceedings of the InfoToday2003 Conference. New York, NY. May 6-8, 2003
Scharf, Davida. (December 2002). XML Under the Hood. Information Outlook, 6(12).
Scharf, Davida. (September 2002). The DOI is Coming. Information Outlook. 6(9)
Scharf, Davida. (May 2002). My Life as an Independent. NJ SLA Chapter Bulletin.
Scharf, Davida. (2000) Interim Serials Management Strategies from the Real Virtual World. Searcher. vol 8, no. 2. Feb 2000.
Scharf, Davida. (March 1998). Current Awareness Services: A look at Inquisit and NewsTracker. The Cyberskeptic’s Guide.
Other Activities and Accomplishments
AWARDS
• Award: 2015 Excellence in Innovative Teaching, awarded by the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Convocation NJIT 2015
• Award: 2014 Best Researcher, awarded by the New Jersey Library Association and the College and University Section of the ACRL New Jersey Chapter for my chapter “College Students as Wikipedia Editors: New Pathways to Information Literacy,” in Successful Strategies for Teaching Undergraduate Research (Scarecrow Press, 2013).
COMMITTEE WORK – SERVICE TO NJIT
Current
• Committee on Undergraduate Education (CUE) and its Subcommittee to revise the general education requirements
• Writing Program Committee
• School of Management Assessment Committee
• Library Assessment Committee (Chair)
Past
• University-wide Program Review Committee
• 2020 Vision Subcommittee
• Middle States Committee: Group 4, Educational Outcomes
• Task Force on Information Literacy
VOLUNTEER WORK
• Founded Leonia School Aged Child Care, a non-profit 501(c)(3) after-school program serving Leonia families. Program started with 17 families in 1988 and now serves over 100 families.
• Leonia Home and School Association, Leonia, NJ. Various positions, and headed Education, Technology, AND Membership Committees, 1985-2004. Also served on Middle States Committee, Leonia School District.
• Board of Trustees, Leonia Public Library.
• Fundraising and various positions as a class officer including Fund Chair for the Class of 1973, Barnard College.
OTHER SKILLS
• Solid knowledge of computing for information and library management.
• Working knowledge of French, Modern Greek, some Spanish, some German.
Professional Affiliations
Current
American Library Association (ALA)
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and ACRL-NJ User Education
VALE (Virtual Academic Library Environment)
Previous
SCIP: Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals
Member, National Advisory Board, ICT Literacy Assessment, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ. 2006-2009.
Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP), 1994-2004.
Special Libraries Association (SLA), 1983-2003.