About

I am a dedicated and adaptable library and information science professional with a strong foundation in digital humanities. With a passion for preserving and organizing information, I specialize in leveraging technology to create accessible, user-friendly digital resources. I hold a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Iowa, along with a Graduate Certificate in Public Digital Humanities. My experience spans a variety of roles, including archival research, metadata creation, content management, and project coordination. I thrive in collaborative environments and am committed to supporting academic communities through innovative, sustainable solutions. My goal is to contribute to the evolution of libraries and archives by integrating digital tools that enhance the accessibility and preservation of information for future generations.

Professional Experience

EDUCATION

Master of Library and Information Science
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA | Expected: August 2024
Honors: Beta Phi Mu – 2024

Graduate Certificate in Public Digital Humanities
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA | May 2024

Bachelor of Arts in Art History, Classical Literature and Languages
Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA | May 2017
Honors: Robert E. Keeler Scholarship for Community Enrichment

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholar
Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea | February 2016 – August 2016

WORK EXPERIENCE 

Receptionist
Iowa City Senior Center, Iowa City, IA | December 2024 – Present

• Manage front desk operations, answering phones, processing memberships and payments, and maintaining a welcoming, organized lobby.

• Assist with community support initiatives, including giving tours and aiding with the food pantry.

• Serve a diverse population, including low-income and unhoused individuals, connecting them with resources and assistance.

Library Administrative Assistant
Russell D. Cole Library, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA | October 2021 – August 2024

• Tracked and analyzed budgets exceeding $500,000, ensuring accurate allocation and use of funds.

• Organized and managed room reservations for both college and public patrons, ensuring efficient use of space and resources.

• Served as the initial point of contact for all phone calls and emails, providing exceptional customer service to a diverse patron base.

• Oversaw daily operations and maintenance as the building manager, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment.

• Independently organized and submitted annual reports for the ACRL Academic Library Trends survey, contributing to national-level data and trends analysis.

Visitor & Volunteer Services Coordinator
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Cedar Rapids, IA | August 2017 – June 2018

• Recruited, trained, and managed a team of over 100 volunteers, ensuring the museum's daily operations ran smoothly and efficiently.

• Established the Skala Bartizal Library Oral History Omeka site with controlled tag vocabulary and consistent metadata.

• Designed and led educational tours for museum visitors, including children and adults.

Co-Founder
Undergraduate Network for Research in the Humanities | August 2015 – May 2018

• Co-founded an organization to connect undergraduate researchers across institutions digitally.

• Organized an annual conference with participants from the USA, Canada, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

• Managed the UNRH digital presence via a WordPress site, social media, and digital publications.

Technology Peer Assistant Student Manager
Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA | September 2014 – May 2017

• Assisted in hiring and training new Technology Peer Consultants.

• Aided in creating guides and tutorials for Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere) for the Cornell community.

• Designed and created the annual Student Symposium programs and posters and completed freelance work for students and local businesses.

ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

• Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) – 80 Hour Certificate

• CPR/First Aid/AED Certifications

SKILLS

Technical Skills:

• Content Management & Digital Archives: Omeka, WordPress, Google Sites, Preservica, Dublin Core Metadata (DCMT)

• Data Analysis & Visualization: Excel, Google Analytics, Tableau

• Audio/Video/Image Editing: Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), Audacity, Clipchamp

• Catalog Management: OCLC WMS, WorldCat

• Digital Publishing: Scalar, Springshare, Canva

• Office Administration: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), POS Systems, Amazon Business Invoicing

Research & Analytical Skills:

• Metadata Creation & Management

• Archival Research

• Data Reporting & Visualization

Communication & Collaboration:

• Writing and Editing (Reports, Blogs, Guides)

• Public Speaking and Presentation

• Training and Mentoring

Project Management:

• Time Management & Task Prioritization

• Cross-functional Team Collaboration

• Event Coordination

RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC PROJECTS

Digital Archive and Website for Literary Heritage of Cornell College
Research Practicum, University of Iowa | Capstone for Public Digital Humanities Certificate | 2024

• Developed a digital archive and website to preserve the literary heritage of Mount Vernon, in collaboration with Cornell College’s English Department.

• Created and populated the archive using Preservica, focusing on materials from the Cornell Archive, including works by Jewel Bothwell Tull and digitized resources from the English Senior Seminar.

• Established metadata guidelines and a controlled tag vocabulary for easier search and discovery of materials.

• Designed a Google Site to host student and faculty research, ensuring long-term accessibility and security.

• Addressed challenges such as inconsistent metadata and security issues, and trained staff for ongoing archive management and sustainability.

Oral History Digital Archive
Project Lead, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library | August 2017 – June 2018

• Designed and created the Skala Bartizal Library Oral History Omeka site to host the museum’s oral histories, applying consistent metadata standards to improve discoverability and organization.

• Ensured the collection’s accessibility for researchers, educators, and the general public, utilizing Omeka for easy content management and presentation.

Metadata for Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Audio Tour
Intern, Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission | Summer 2017

• Developed and implemented metadata standards for the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation audio tour, enhancing accessibility and discoverability for users.

• Collaborated with local historians to ensure accurate and engaging content for the audio tour, focusing on key historical landmarks.

• The tour is now accessible online and used by the public as an educational resource.

DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS

Donnellan, M. (2024, March 7). The literary heritage of Cornell College: Using digital resources to preserve the past. The University of Iowa Libraries Studio Blog. https://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/studio/2024/03/07/the-literary-heritage-of-cornell-college-using-digital-resources-to-preserve-the-past-by-miranda-donnellan/

Donnellan, M. (2024, May 6). The literary heritage of Cornell College: Creating digital resources to support our community. The University of Iowa Libraries Studio Blog. https://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/studio/2024/05/06/the-literary-heritage-of-cornell-college-creating-digital-resources-to-support-our-community/

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• American Library Association (ALA)

• Iowa Library Association (ILA)

• Beta Phi Mu (Honor Society for Library and Information Science)