Rate My Professor Anthony Bernier

Dr. Anthony Bernier is a Professor in the School of Information at San José State University, a position he has held since 2016, following promotions from Associate Professor (2011-2016) and Assistant Professor (2005-2011). He teaches foundational and advanced courses including Historical Research Methods, Youth Services Research Methods, and Introduction to Young Adult Services. Bernier serves as the Originating Faculty Advisor for the Student Research Journal since 2010 and Chair of the Youth Services Program Advisory Committee since 2016. Prior to his academic career, he was Director of Young Adult Services at Oakland Public Library from 2001 to 2005, where he created the department, recruited and supervised a nine-member team, designed a 2,200 square foot TeenZone, and led strategic planning and user surveys. From 1991 to 2001, he worked as Professional Young Adult Specialist Librarian at Los Angeles Public Library, developing the award-winning Teen’Scape Department and Service Volunteer Program. Earlier roles include Adult Literacy Coordinator at Los Angeles Public Library (1987-1991) and various positions at California State University, Los Angeles, and UC Berkeley. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Irvine (2002), M.A. in History from UCI (1995), M.L.I.S. from the University of California, Berkeley (1986), and A.B. in Sociology from UC Berkeley (1982).

Bernier's research specializations include administration and management, buildings and facilities, critical perspectives on library and information science (LIS), distance education in LIS, evaluation of service, history of libraries and library science, libraries and society/culture, LIS as a profession, pedagogy in LIS, public libraries, serving multicultural populations, and young adult services, with an emphasis on equitable library services for young adults. He has edited and authored key publications such as Young Adult Services: Challenges & Opportunities (2024, co-edited with S. Lee, Rowman & Littlefield), Transforming Young Adult Services, Second Edition (2020, ALA Editions), The International Directory of National Archives (2018, co-edited with P.C. Franks, Rowman & Littlefield), Transforming Young Adult Services (2013, Neal-Schuman), and VOYA's YA Spaces of Your Dreams Collection (2012). He published a regular column “YA Strike Zone” in Voice of Youth Advocates from 2013 to 2019 and scholarly articles in journals. Bernier has received grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, American Library Association, and Association for Library and Information Science Education. Major awards include the 2014 Outstanding Researcher Award, 2011 Outstanding Professor Award, and 2008 Distinguished Service Award from the SJSU School of Information; 2002 Urban Libraries Council Outstanding Leader in Library Youth Development; and 1999 ALA Service Excellence to Young Adults. His contributions have shaped youth services librarianship through pedagogy, service on ALA accreditation committees, and leadership in REFORMA and curriculum reviews.