Debra Slone Joins MLIS Program Faculty

VALDOSTA — Dr. Debra J. Slone, 50, recently joined the Valdosta State University Master of Library and Information Science program faculty.

“I like the professional focus of the faculty in my department,” shared the visiting assistant professor. “I also find the teaching methods appropriate and convenient for my needs and skills.”

During the fall semester, Slone is teaching MLIS 7100: Information Sources and Services and MLIS 7650: Information and Ethics. Her chosen areas of professional research include end-user information seeking, usability of information systems, and visual analysis of qualitative data.

Slone earned a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1984 from Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., a Master of Library and Information Science in 1990 from the University of California-Berkeley, and a Doctor of Philosophy in information and library science in 2001 from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She has been published in professional journals several times and is the creator, designer, and developer of a graphical analysis tool that characterizes the relationship between qualitative cases and categories of data — the Spectrum. 

Prior to joining the VSU family, Slone served as assistant professor in the University of South Florida’s School of Library and Information Science from 2005 to 2012. She also spent three summers lecturing at the San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science and three years serving as assistant professor in the Clark Atlanta University School of Library and Information Studies. She has more than a decade of experience working in public libraries in Georgia’s Fayette County, as well as Durham, N.C., and Berkeley, Calif.   

In her spare time, Slone enjoys reading, bowling, graphic art, and camping. She is married to Sonja Ebron.

Contact Dr. Debra J. Slone at (229) 333-5966 or djslone@valdosta.edu to learn more. Her office is located in Odum Library, Room 4210.