Professional Preparation

Ph.D., 1999, Florida State University
Library and Information Studies

M.A., 2001, Murray State University
English and Literature

M.S.L.S., 1994, University of Kentucky
Library Science

B.A., 1993, Murray State University
English/Spanish

Professional Experience

Teaching

• At Master’s level: LS 5263 Reference, LS 5813 Information Professions, LS 5383 Library Management, MLIS Leadership
• Advised an average of 35 MLS students each semester

Scholarship

• Dr. McElrath has published a variety of articles including:
• McElrath, R. Cognitive Dissonance Identification in the Institutional Setting of the Academic Library. Journal of Educational Media and Library Science. 41, no. 3 (March 2004): 283-298.
• McElrath, R. Perceptions Held by Academic Library Directors and Chief Academic Officers about Challenges Experienced by Current Academic Library Directors in Public Universities. College and Research Libraries. 63, no. 4 (July 2002): 304-321.
• McElrath, R. A Study of One Kentucky Regional University’s ( Murray State University ) Female Graduates from 1930-1959. Ed 426 647. ERIC Clearinghouse on Higher Education. 1999.
• Received $2500 in grants

Service

• Free Websites of Value for Humanities Student and Faculty Researchers. Rhetoric Symposium. Federation of North Texas Universities. Texas A & M University , Commerce, Texas . 2005.
• Member, Executive Board of Directors, Georgia Library Association, 2001-2003
• Chair , Georgia Library Association, New Members Roundtable Division, 2001-2003
• Portfolio Development in the Master of Library Science Program at Valdosta . Presented at the Association for Library Science Educators Conference, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , January, 2003.
• Mentoring New Faculty in Library and Information Science: A Retention Tool. Presented at the Association for Library Science Educators Conference, New Orleans , Louisiana , January, 2002.