Papers

Hands, A. (2026). Examining college literacy in Appalachia: A survey of public library staff. Journal of Documentation, 82(7), 315-337. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-10-2025-0325

Hands, A., & Candela, R. (2024). Staff perspectives on the role of public libraries in facilitating college literacy. Journal of Library Administration, 1-17. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01930826.2024.2403748 (Open access)

Hands, A. & Candela, R. (2024). Educating the “middle”: Public library support of non-traditional students and SDG 4. The Library Quarterly, 94(3), 238-252. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/730463

Posters

Hands, A., Candela, R., & Krull, H. (2023). The role of public libraries in facilitating college literary: A preliminary analysis. Poster presented at the ASIS&T 2023 annual conference.

Hands, A. & Candela, R. (2023). Public libraries: A viable partner for college access in Appalachia. Poster presented at the Appalachian Studies Association Conference at Ohio University.

Hands, A. & Candela, R. (2022). Positing a role for public libraries in expanding higher education access. Paper presented at the Association for the Study of Higher Education annual conference.

Hands, A. & Candela, R. (2022). Public library support of college literacy in Appalachia (Project CLiA). Poster presented at the Association for Library and Information Science Education annual conference. 

Hands, A. & Candela, R. (2022). Educating the “Middle”: Public library support of Sustainable Development Goal 4. Poster presented at the ASIS&T 2022 annual conference.  

Hands, A. & Candela, R. (2022). In support of adult learners: An examination of one civic institution in central Appalachia. Poster presented at the Appalachian Studies Association conference at West Virginia University.

Presentations

Hands, A. (2026). “My grandmother recommended I apply”: College information seeking among Appalachian students. Presented at the 2026 Appalachian Studies Association Conference, Huntington, WV.

Hands, A. (2024). Supporting college literacy in marginalized communities. Texas Women’s University, Research, Inclusion & Innovation Speaker Series. Invited.

Hands, A. (2022). Public library support of college literacy in Appalachia. Lightning talk presented at the 4th International Emerging Rural Scholars Summit.

Project CLiA Year 1 update presented during the 12/13/2022 LibsWork Meeting.