Sarah Evans, an assistant professor in the College of Information’s Department of Information Science, is studying whether graphic novels can be used as a medium to improve health literacy among a variety of populations. She is working with diverse populations in North Texas libraries to study the understanding of health information by adults by both reading and creating graphic novel pages. Being able to express medical issues and concerns with mediums other than words can add to research as well as the future understanding of treatment and side effects of diseases, Evans says.

Evans also created a new program to help bridge the STEM education gap in rural areas. Raise Up Radio uses local radio stations to broadcast STEM content produced by local libraries to families who may not have access to internet at home. The radio broadcasts connect to activity kits that community members can check out from the library, creating further learning opportunities. Raise Up Radio was piloted at Pottsboro Area Library and Tuscaloosa Public Library. The work is being funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.