Heather L Cribbs

Heather L. Cribbs is the Systems Librarian at California State University, Northridge. She leads the design, management, and evaluation of the library’s core technology systems, including Alma and OneSearch, with a focus on improving access to library resources and supporting effective research practices.

Her work centers on user experience, assessment, and the evaluation of emerging technologies in academic libraries. Heather conducts research on how students interact with discovery systems and AI-supported research tools, using qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to understand their impact on student learning, research behavior, and equity of access. Her work emphasizes evidence-based decision making and incorporating student perspectives into library system design.

In addition to her systems and research work, Heather teaches research and AI literacy through course-integrated instruction and workshops. She collaborates closely with faculty, staff, and students to develop library tools and practices that are usable, transparent, and responsive to community needs.