The Student Research Journal’s (SRJ) latest issue features two articles written by SJSU SLIS graduate students Julia Wells and Tony Brooke, as well as an introductory essay written by the SRJ editor-in-chief Adrienne Mathewson.

The Student Research Journal’s (SRJ) latest issue features two articles written by graduate students Julia Wells and Tony Brooke, who are enrolled in the exclusively online library and information science master’s program at the San José State University School of Library and Information Science (SJSU SLIS), along with an introductory essay written by the SRJ editor-in-chief and SJSU SLIS graduate student Adrienne Mathewson.

Wells’ article “The Female Librarian in Film: Has the Image Changed in 60 Years?” examines the image of the female librarian within the social context of film. Wells studies various movie scenes in which people visit libraries seeking information, studying, and conducting other library activities to determine how librarians are portrayed by the media.

Brooke’s article “Open Source Integrated Library Systems in Public Libraries” examines how the electronic age affects the way information is delivered in both presentation and content. He discusses the advantages of free and open source software (FOSS) within the library system stating that collaboration between librarians and open source developers is a natural fit, as both have the common trait of being “obsessive about sharing information.”

In her introductory essay, Mathewson points out that although both students’ articles explore diverse topics, a theme emerges: “Despite the rapidly changing role of the librarian from the stereotypical stern female librarian to the technologically hip librarian of today, librarians still protect the right to free and accessible information to the public.”

This is the sixth issue of the journal, which was launched in 2010. Each issue is developed by current SJSU SLIS graduate students selected by a competitive process to serve one-year terms on the editorial team. Working with SJSU SLIS faculty advisor and associate professor Dr. Anthony Bernier, the student editors review, select, and edit manuscripts submitted by students at the SJSU information school and other graduate programs worldwide.

The SRJ (pronounced surge) offers a great opportunity for graduate students to showcase their original work in a peer-reviewed publication and contribute to the body of knowledge in the information professions. The SRJ has a global readership, with the most downloads from the United States, India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom.

The SRJ is an open-source journal, and all the articles are available in PDF format online at http://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/slissrj/vol3/iss2/

Call for Submissions

The SRJ invites original research or critical review essay manuscripts from graduate students at any university on topics in the fields of information science theory, policy, application or practice. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. See call for submissions.

About the Student Research Journal

The SRJ promotes graduate scholarship and intellectual inquiry in library and information science, archives and records management, and museum studies by publishing two issues annually. It is San José State University’s first student-governed research journal. For more information about the SRJ, please visit http://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/slissrj/