Karen Alcorn, MLS
Reference and Instruction Librarian; Associate Professor
she/her/hers
School
School of Arts and Sciences
Department
Library and Learning Resources
Office Location
211B
Worcester
Office Phone Office Phone: 508.373.5795
About
Karen S. Alcorn, MLS, is a librarian at MCPHS and serves as the library liaison to the Optometry, Physical Therapy, and Nursing programs across all three campuses. She co-teaches a series of evidence-based practice classes and provides research support to faculty members. Her scholarship includes publications in the Journal of the Medical Library Association, Health Information and Libraries Journal, and Brain Injury.
Education
- 2006; Master of Library and Information Studies, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
- 2003;Bachelor of Arts in Art History, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
Research Interests
- Assessing information literacy among doctoral students
- Promoting awareness of healthcare issues concerning veteran-centered care
- Exploring faculty/librarian collaboration
- Issues/trends related to embedded librarianship
Featured Affiliations
Medical Library Association
WebsiteNursing and Allied Health Resources and Services
WebsiteAssociation of Vision Science Librarians, Secretary
WebsiteEducation
- 2006; Master of Library and Information Studies, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
- 2003;Bachelor of Arts in Art History, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY
Research Interests
- Assessing information literacy among doctoral students
- Promoting awareness of healthcare issues concerning veteran-centered care
- Exploring faculty/librarian collaboration
- Issues/trends related to embedded librarianship
Publications
- Raszewski, R., Porcello, L., Fial, A. V., Dennison, C. C., Stark, R. K., Alcorn, K. S., Wade, S. (2025). Using expert knowledge and a peer review process to create a reproducible process for the NAHRS Nursing Essential Resource List (NNERL). Journal of the Medical Library Association, 113(1), p. 78-84. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2025.1964
- Sharifi, C., Alcorn, K., Downey, K., Hinton, E. G., Sender, J., & Ver Steeg, J. (2022). AACN essentials: Librarians as partners in successful implementation. Journal of Professional Nursing 42, A3-A5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.07.019
- Alcorn, K. S., McCord, S. K., Seed, S. M., Gravel, T., & Morrill, A. M. (2022). The veteran- centered care conferences: Interprofessional education and community involvement facilitated by the health sciences librarian. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 110(3), 362-367. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2022.1491
- White, B. J., & Lamson, K. S. (2017). The evolution of a writing program. Journal of Nursing Education, 56(7), 443-445. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20170619-11
- Charrette, A. L., Lorenz, L. S., Fong, J., O’Neil-Pirozzi, T. M., Lamson K. S., Demore-Taber, M., Lilley, R. (2016). Pilot study of intensive exercise on endurance, advanced mobility, and gait speed in adults with chronic severe acquired brain injury. Brain Injury, 30(10), 1213-1219. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2016.1187766
- Motte, K., Caldwell, C. B., Lamson, K. S., Ferimer, S., Nims, C. (2014). Standards for vision science libraries: 2014 revision. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 102(4), 288-291. https://doi.org/10.3163/1536-5050.102.4.010
- Eisenhauer, E. R., Mosher, E. C., Lamson, K. S., Wolf, H. A., & Schwartz, D. G. (2012). Health education for Somali Bantu refugees via home visits. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 29(2), 152-161.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2012.00979.x
Honors and Awards
- 2023, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Faculty Scholarship, Award for Application, Combatting Predatory Publishing: Developing Your Own Vetted Journal Program.
- 2016, Medical Library Association’s Louise Darling Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Collection Development in the Health Sciences
- 2016, MCPHS Faculty Scholarship Award for Discovery, Intensive Exercise Program for Adults with Severe Chronic Brain Injury
- 2015, MCPHS Faculty Scholarship Showcase Award for Integration, Veteran-Centered Care Conference
- 2008, Western New York Library Resources Council Outstanding Program/Service Award, Kaleida Health Somali Bantu Project
Awards and Honors
- 2016 Medical Library Association’s Louise Darling Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Collection Development in the Health Sciences
- 2016 MCPHS University Faculty Scholarship Showcase Award for Discovery, Intensive Exercise Program for Adults with Severe Chronic Brain Injury
- 2015 MCPHS University Faculty Scholarship Showcase Award for Integration, Veteran- Centered Care Conference
- 2008 Western New York Library Resources Council Outstanding Program/Service Award, Kaleida Health Somali Bantu Project