Hi there! I’m Jacob Muller, a recent MLIS grad seeking a role in government/academic libraries. My professional experience, research, and course history focus primarily on intellectual freedom, information justice, and digital collections.

I am adept at leveraging my research skills and utilizing databases to facilitate access to information, and I have a passion for promoting information literacy and open access to information systems.

EXPERIENCE

Research Assistant and Co-AuthorIndiana University Luddy Department of Information and Library Science, Bloomington, IN (January 2026 – Present)

• Co-developed framework for assessing digital archival tools, content management systems, and community archives practices for accessibility in response to changing ADA requirements.
• Evaluated web accessibility guidelines standards, and compliance requirements to effectively evaluate community archival projects.
• Selected to present research at the Association for Computers and the Humanities (ACH) Conference, June 2026.

Library SupervisorIndiana University Residential Programs and Services, Bloomington, IN (August 2025 – May 2026)

•Managed the operations of two university residence hall libraries, overseeing collection development, administrative workflows, and a rotating on-call schedule in collaboration with supervisory team.
• Hired, trained, scheduled, and evaluated a staff of 15 library employees, fostering a team culture grounded in service excellence and professional development.
• Achieved highest patron engagement since 2016-17 academic year; highest material circulation since 2017-18 academic year.
• Increased cumulative patron engagement of libraries by 62% and overall material circulation by 45% through targeted programming, outreach initiatives, and spatial alterations.
• Designed and facilitated regular programs to connect students with library services, resources, and information literacy opportunities.

Lead Bookseller – Barnes & Noble, Fairfax, VA (April 2023 – December 2024; Summer 2025)

• Supervised and mentored a team of 25 booksellers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and customer service excellence.
• Curated and maintained a dynamic, well-organized retail floor by applying extensive knowledge across genres, publishers, and titles to anticipate customer needs and provide informed recommendations.
• Coordinated staff operations for author signings and book conventions serving up to 1,000 attendees, ensuring seamless event execution from setup through close.
• Oversaw end-to-end inventory operations, which included managing stock levels, ensuring optimal floor selection, and minimizing gaps in high-demand titles.

Editorial Assistant, Dr. Erin Moodie, – Purdue University Classics Department West Lafayette, IN (January 2022 – May 2022)

• Collaborated with Dr. Erin Moodie to develop translations of Roman comedy through the comparison of proposed language with existing manuscripts, assessment of authorial notes, and transliteration for contemporary audiences.
• Reviewed translated manuscripts to ensure their readability while adhering to publication standards.
• Worked alongside fellow assistants to meet project deadlines as part of a multi-stage, multi-year editorial process.

Lead Copy Editor/Content Editor – Purdue Exponent, West Lafayette, IN (August 2022 – May 2022)

• Led a team of 7 copy editors for University Newspaper to ensure timely print and digital content delivery for a large readership base.
• Implemented new training processes to improve workflow efficiency and reduce content errors while adhering to AP Style guidelines.
• Managed content editing for biweekly print editions and regularly updated web content.

EDUCATION

Master of Library and Information Science

Indiana University – Bloomington

• Developed a strong foundation in information and library science through graduate coursework with a focus on government libraries, archives, and digital collections.

B.A. English Literature

Purdue University

• Focus primarily on modernist American and British literature. Completed capstone research paper in the fall of 2021: Contextualizing Lovecraft: The Existential Horror Necessitated by Fear.

• Completed minor in classical studies with a focus on the Latin language, and assisted in the development of translations on ancient Roman comedy with Dr. Erin Moodie.

• Completed minor in political science with a focus on international relations and modern foreign policy.

AWARDS

  • Executive Board Member–ALA Student Chapter of the Year 2025
  • Luddy Student Travel Award (Fall 2025)

RESEARCH

PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

  • Professional Organizations: Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) • American Library Association (ALA) • Association for Computers and the Humanities (ACH) • Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T)
  • Volunteer Work:  ALA Student Chapter, Engagement Officer (2025) • Monroe County History Center, Digitization Archival Assistant (Fall 2025)