Rachael Muszkiewicz

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Associate Professor
Christopher Center, Room 266
(219) 464-5464
Rachael.Muszkiewicz (at) valpo.edu

Professor Muszkiewicz joined the Valparaiso University faculty in 2010. She coordinates the library’s marketing, outreach, and programming, and creates or curates the majority of displays and exhibits in the Christopher Center. Additionally, she teaches library instruction and is the library liaison for General Studies, Greek & Roman Studies, History, Sociology & Criminology, World Languages & Cultures. 

Prior to joining the Christopher Center, Prof. Muszkiewicz finished her library and information science degree with a certificate in archival administration at Wayne State University. Prof. Muszkiewicz has a background in archaeology and anthropology and has archaeological experience both in the field and in the laboratory.

Areas of research interest include library outreach and marketing, displays and exhibits, librarian accessibility, humor in the library, and information literacy.

Publications

Muszkiewicz, R., & Shiller, A. (2022). Librarian Rex Case Study. In S.E. Villamor & K. Shotick (Eds.), Practical Marketing for the Academic Library. Libraries Unlimited.

Muszkiewicz, R., & Shiller, A. (2022). You know what would be funny?: Leading and being led by silly example. In K. Vaidya (Ed.), Lead your library with a sense of humor: Why (and how to) be a funnier and more effective leader and laugh all the way to your library. The Curious Academic Publishing.

Muszkiewicz, R. (2021). There Might be Swears in This: Using News Satire to Teach Bias and Authority. In K. Vaidya (Ed.), Teach Library and Information Science With a Sense of Humor: Why (and How to) Be a Funnier and More Effective LIS Teacher and Laugh All the Way to Your Classroom. The Curious Academic Publishing.

Muszkiewicz, R., & Shelton, J. (2019). Librarians and IEP Instructors Unite for Information Literacy! In L. Rod-Welch (Ed.), Improving Library Services in Support of International Students and English as a Second Language (ESL) Learners. Chicago: Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL).

Arteaga, R., Belzowski, N., Muszkiewicz, R., & Robison, M. (2019). Welcome to Your Library: How an Orientation Can Set Up International Students for Academic Success. In L. Rod-Welch (Ed.), Improving Library Services in Support of International Students and English as a Second Language (ESL) Learners. Chicago: Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL).

Robison, M. & Muszkiewicz, R. (2018). Whiteboards, blanket forts, and autonomy: Using self-determination theory to improve library de-stress programming. Public Services Quarterly, 14(4).

Muszkiewicz, R. (2017). Get to know your librarian: how a simple orientation program helped alleviate library anxiety. Public Services Quarterly, 13(4).

Muszkiewicz, R., Bull, J. & Tomasek, A. (2017). More than just art on the walls: enhancing fine arts pedagogy in the academic library space. In P. Glassman & J. Dyki (Eds.), The Handbook of Art and Design Librarianship, 2nd edition. London, UK: Facet Publishing.

Muszkiewicz, R (2015). You can “like” it on paper too: reaching digital students through analog displays. In S. Bonnand & M.A. Hansen (Eds.), Innovative Solutions for Building Community in Academic Libraries (127-155). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

Presentations

Downey, A., & Muszkiewicz, R. (2023, March 17).  My library loves me: Creating distinct spaces to support student wellness and mental health [Poster presentation]. ACRL, Pittsburgh. https://scholar.valpo.edu/ccls_fac_presentations/21/

Muszkiewicz, Rachael and Seevers, Lindsey Arnold, “Lightening up the Library: A case for humor, silliness and general jackassery in library outreach” Library Marketing and Communications Conference, 2016.

Robison, Mark and Muszkiewicz, Rachael, "Patron Driven Programs: Successes and Lessons Learned from Turning the Library Over to Students for a Week" (2016). Library Faculty Presentations. 15. 

Muszkiewicz, Rachael and Shelton, Jennifer, “Librarians and ESL Instructors Unite for Information Literacy!” INTESOL (Indiana TESOL) Conference, 2015.

Going Vertical Together: An Interdisciplinary Infusion of Information Literacy with Research Writing in the Disciplines:
Chair of panel presentation for the Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy, August 23-24, 2013; Co-presented with Trisha Mileham, Jonathan Bull and Nora Belzowski

Muszkiewicz, Rachael and Bull, Jonathan, "Cutting the Red Tape: Direct Engagement with the University and College Campus Student Body for Outreach and Programming Needs" (2011).

Professional Memberships
American Library Association
- ACRL Division
- Anthropology and Sociology Section
Archaeological Institute of America

Education
M.L.I.S. – Wayne State University, MI
M.A. – University of Bristol, England (archaeology for screen media)
B.S. – Michigan State University (anthropology)

Campus Involvement
Faculty Advisor, The Athena Society
Faculty Concerns Committee member

Areas of Specialization
Student Outreach
Library Marketing
Information Literacy
Instruction
Library Media
Copyright
Display coordination

Other Interests
Prof. Muszkiewicz is still acclimating to life in a small town with her children, and her ridiculously named cat, Postmaster General Thaddeus Washbourne. She listens to entirely too many podcasts, and enjoys going to the Y, trivia, and being close to Lake Michigan.