In early 2014, Facet Publishing (UK) and ALA Neal-Schuman (US) co-published my new library and information science textbook, which examines the development of digital libraries over the past 25 years and emphasizes current strategic opportunities to refocus digital libraries on social and community roles. The book has received positive reviews in the library and information science press, for example, in portal: Libraries and the Academy 14.4 (2014). Review by Judy Jeng. "Exploring Digital Libraries: Foundations, Practice, Prospects is a well-organized and timely new book. Soon retiring from her position as an assistant university librarian at the University of Pittsburgh, author Karen Calhoun is an experienced librarian, researcher, and writer with strong credentials in metadata management and digital libraries...".

As a volunteer group coordinator, I was responsible for facilitating and promoting meetings in my local area and for serving as a liaison between statewide leadership and our local members. I was the local coordinator for Fair Districts PA supporters in voting districts within Westmoreland, Somerset, and Fayette counties.

I earned a certificate from the Anne Arundel Community College to teach English as a Second Language (ESL). I tutored ESL students as a volunteer for the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council.

With the goal of strengthening their strategic position or operations within their organizations and in the communities they serve, I provided management consulting for libraries and related organizations including planning large-scale organizational change; creating and implementing innovative services; developing new roles for librarians; analyzing and redesigning workflows; and so on.

I developed and taught a new 3-credit, MLIS course, LIS2670 - Digital Libraries in Their Communities - for PittOnline and the SIS Library and Information Science Program. This asynchronous online course is intended to give participants a comprehensive framework for understanding and contributing to digital libraries—from their collections to their emergent online communities; from their technological to their social and economic aspects; and from their origins within libraries, archives, museums, and other information service settings to their prospects on the social web. Students rated the course highly.

I taught and managed a year-long, hands-on, library-specific set of about 13 workshops for selected librarians and staff in the University Library System and neighboring university libraries. The program's intent was to strengthen capacity for achieving strategic initiatives, managing projects, and leading or working in teams across organizational boundaries. I developed and taught most workshops and serve as a mentor and coach to participants; a few workshops were taught by recognized experts recruited off campus or locally. 2015 was the third year of the program, which is further described here: http://works.bepress.com/karen_calhoun/63/

Implemented strategic directions and directed projects to carry forward the mission of the University Library System in the digital age. The key areas of focus were revitalizing the library's strategic planning process; developing and teaching a Leadership Program; and supporting the library's efforts to envision and implement state-of-the-art, user-centered information and outreach services.

Provided strategic and policy direction for WorldCat, the world’s largest information system for finding library collections. Spoke and wrote frequently about change and innovation in libraries and librarianship. Provided leadership for a portfolio of core services in cataloging and metadata, including charting a future course for these services. Responsible for a staff of approximately 135 people and $88 million in annual revenues.

Provided leadership for the library’s combined digital library, information technology, and technical services groups (about 125 people). Reporting to the University Librarian and in partnership with the senior associate university librarian for public services and assessment, managed Cornell University Library operations and technical infrastructure.

*1995-1997: Manager, Product Planning Dept. - WorldCat cataloging, authority control, resource sharing*1991-1995: Manager, Online Data Quality Control Section - WorldCat, Automated authority control, Linked Systems Project, Name Authority Cooperative (with Library of Congress)*1989-1991: Senior Product Support Specialist - Cataloging and authority control, Linked Systems Project*1986-1989: User Documentation Specialist, Quality Control Librarian - writing and editing of user manuals and research papers