Cynthia Tysick
Innovative Pedagogy and Creative Spaces Librarian
225 Capen Hall, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
- Ph: 716-645-8629
Office Hours
To book an appointment please consult her online calendar.
Click here to book at 30 minute appointment with me
Department Liaison
LINKTResponsibilities
Cynthia Tysick is a trailblazing librarian, professor, and thought leader with over 25 years of experience in higher education. Her work sits at the intersection of digital literacy, AI ethics, and inclusive education. As Chair of the Generative AI Implementation Team at the University at Buffalo, Cynthia is leading strategic efforts to integrate responsible AI practices across pedagogy, policy, and innovation.
She is the author of Digital Identity in the Age of Big Tech and Digital Literacy: An Exploratory Workbook, both designed to empower individuals to navigate, protect, and own their digital lives. Her scholarship explores the economic, civic, and psychological dimensions of digital identity, with a special focus on equity and marginalization in online spaces.
Cynthia also consults globally on educational innovation. In Enugu State, Nigeria, she collaborates with ministries of education to build offline digital libraries and develop large-scale teacher training programs—bringing 21st-century learning to communities with limited internet access.
Whether she's in the classroom, writing a book, advising on AI in healthcare, or designing experiential learning for global educators, Cynthia’s work is guided by one mission: to make knowledge accessible, meaningful, and just.
Education and Training
- Sloan Online Educator Certification 2014
- MLS, University at Buffalo, 2001
- BA, cum laude, Classics & Linguistics, University at Buffalo, 1999
Employment
University at Buffalo
Libraries
2001-current
Awards and Honors
SUNY Chancellors Award in Librarianship (2008)
Fulbright Scholars (2023)
Publications
Monographs
Digital Literacy: An exploratory workbook, Open Access, forthcoming 2025.
Digital Identity in the Age of Big Tech, Routledge, forthcoming 2025.
Intellectual Curiosity and the Role of Libraries: The first- and second-year college student experience. Editors Cynthia Tysick and Tiffany Walsh, SUNY Pressbooks. 2023.
“Meeting Students Where They Are: Collaborating with Non-Traditional Departments on Campus” with Keith Nichols and Bryan Sajecki in Cases on Establishing Effective Collaboration in Academic Libraries. IGI Global, 2023. Book Chapter.
“Applying a Social Constructivist Model to Teaching Undergraduate Freshmen Information and Digital Literacy” with M. Maloney, B. Sajecki and N. Thomas in The Science and Teaching of Learning Information Literacy. ACRL Publications, 2018. Book Chapter.
“Tools of Engagement Project (TOEP): Discovering and exploring within a supportive professional development community,” with B. Burns, K. Gradel, R. Sullivan, S. Shi. In Inquiry-Based Learning for Faculty and Institutional Development: A Conceptual and Practical Resource for Educators. London, UK: Emerald Group, 2014. Book chapter.
“Gender and the Internet User,” with C.A. Ehlers. In Encyclopedia of Gender and Information Technology, edited by E.M. Trauth. Hershey, PA: Idea Group, 2006. Entry.
“Concept Mapping: A Librarian’s Perspective.” In: Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Concept Mapping, Volume 2. Pamplona, Spain: Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, 2004. 365-368. Paper.
Biographical Dictionary of Social and Cultural Anthropology, edited by V. Amit. New York: Routledge, 2003.
Journal Artlcles (Referred)
"Tools of Engagement Project: Discovery Learning On-demand Professional Development" with R. Sullivan, K. Gradel, B. Burns, and S. Shi. Journal of Educational Technology & Society (JETS), 41(3): 255-266. 2013.
“On-Site Reference and Instruction Services: Setting Up Shop Where Our Patrons Live,” with A.B. Wagner. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 46 (4): 60-65. 2007.
“Tenure and Recruitment: A Survey of Library Human Resources Officers,” with S.
Brower, C.V. Hollister and T. Pirrung. JLAMS: Journal of the Library Administration and Management of the New York Library Association (Library Administration& Management 2(2): 5-20. 2006.
“Perspectives on: Writing support for Junior Faculty Librarians,” with N. Babb. Journal of Academic Librarianship 32(1): 94-100. 2006.
“Multiple Models for Library Outreach Initiatives,” with C.A. Fabian, C. D’Aniello, and M. Morin. The Reference Librarian, 39 (82): 39-55. Also published as a chapter in Outreach Services in Academic and Special Libraries. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Information Press. 2004.
Journal Articles (Non-Refereed)
“JLAMS Guest Article: Retreating from the World of ‘Publish or Perish’.” JLAMS: Journal of the Library Administration and Management Section of the New York Library Association, 1(2): 39-45. 2005. http://www.nyla.org/content/user_10/JLAMSVol1No2c.pdf
“Attending Conferences Outside of Librarianship” College & Undergraduate Libraries 9(2): 75-81. 2002.
Professional Reports & Other Activities
ACRL Information Literacy Framework Poster Series under Creative Commons Licensing.
Bridging Boundaries to Create a New Workforce: A Survey of Spectrum Scholarship Recipients, 1998-2003, with L. Roy (primary author), G. Johnson-Cooper, and D. Waters.
“Concept Mapping in Library Instruction.” Practice 2004-1. ALA ACRL Effective Practices in Academic and Research Librarianship Clearinghouse. 2004.
Research
Her scholarship explores the economic, civic, and psychological dimensions of digital identity, with a special focus on equity and marginalization in online spaces.