Library liaison program

Director of Reference New Jersey Institute of Technology Robert W. Van Houten Library 323 ML King Jr. Blvd. Newark, NJ 07102-1982 Office phone: 973.642.4397 Fax: 973.643.5601 davida.scharf@njit.edu AIM: davidascharf YAHOO: davida_scharf

Connect to my teaching resources and presentations

I am the Director of Reference and Instructional Services at New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Van Houten Library, a position I have held since April 2004.   I serve as the library's liaison to the departments of Humanities, History, Computer Science, Information Systems and Information Technology.   I serve on the National Advisory Board to the Educational Testing Service's iSkills Assessment.

My Philosophy:

Since a college library no longer provides one-stop shopping for research, our 21st century students must use the open web, the library's online subscriptions, as well as printed materials, some of which are housed in the physical library, to get their work done.  Therefore, the goal of the reference librarians at NJIT is to actively engage with students and faculty in exploring authentic research questions to promote development of the critical thinking and effective research skills needed for lifelong learning regardless of location or format.

Education and Experience

B.A. Art and Architectural History, Barnard College, Columbia University.

I have worked in academia, corporate, and non-profit sectors in the areas of library administration and information management, database development, technology, strategic planning, and research.  I have been online since the 1970s.

Research interests:

I am currently a doctoral student in Library and Information Science at Rutgers University School of Communications, Information and Library Studies.  I am interested in critical thinking, information literacy instruction and assessment, online communications, knowledge management and digital libraries.

Recent Publications:

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.  Abstract

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.

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.

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.