Published:Apr 14, 2026 by Kelly Famuliner

[Kelly Famuliner is a student researcher/scholar and has been actively involved in faculty research projects such as Dr.Gosart's work on Ukrainian libraries. CIRI had the pleasure of interviewing her about her experience. ]

1. What drew you to research at the SJSU iSchool, and how did your independent study with Dr. Gosart come together (e.g., how you pitched it, goals you set, and why this topic)?

During my first semester of the MLIS program (Spring 2025), I attended a virtual presentation led by Dr. Gosart who discussed efforts underway to build a digital archives documenting destruction to Ukrainian libraries due to the ongoing war. I learned that this project has been built and sustained by a partnership with the Ukrainian Library Association (ULA) and library and information professionals across the U.S. (referred to as “Team Ukraine”) since 2022. Before the presentation ended, I reached out to Dr. Gosart to convey my interest in assisting with this project, and I have been honored to do so since May 2025. As this project combines support for and partnership with Ukrainian libraries with archival work––two areas of which I am greatly interested––I knew I had to be a part of it!

During the past summer, Dr. Gosart connected our Team with András Riedlmayer, a historian and  international expert who testified at war crimes trials on the destruction of cultural heritage in the Balkans. As library holdings (and oftentimes the buildings themselves) frequently contain materials of cultural significance to the country (or town, county, state, province, etc.) in which they are located, we began to research the types of information needed to accurately and effectively document the loss of cultural heritage items and the impact of these losses on Ukrainian communities and citizens. Based on the project’s needs––including processing images and descriptions of destruction to libraries provided to our Team by the ULA, conducting research on best practices regarding the development of an instrument that can provide additional documentation and metadata on damaged library sites that were known to house historically and culturally significant holdings, among other aspects––I floated the idea of completing an independent study to Dr. Gosart so that I could to begin to work with the Team in addressing these areas. Luckily, she agreed and I was able to experience one of the most impactful semesters of my MLIS program so far. Additionally, engagement in this research and its application yielded an opportunity for me to serve as a Graduate Research Assistant with Dr. Gosart during the Spring 2026 semester, allowing us to dive deeper into the work started last year!

2. What does your independent study actually involve week to week—methods, milestones, deliverables, and mentorship—and what’s been the most unexpected or impactful part so far?

Starting in August 2025 and continuing through the fall semester, I met with Dr. Gosart for weekly meetings during which time tasks and areas to focus on during the upcoming week were discussed and assigned, based on project needs. I also attended a weekly team meeting during which time I was fortunate to receive training on best practices as they relate to metadata collection as well as to gain familiarity with Dublin Core and Omeka. Over the course of the semester, I assisted in processing images and descriptions received from the ULA, conducted research on historical and contemporary methodologies involved in the documentation of war crimes against cultural heritage, and created a presentation and handouts for the International Council on Archives (ICA) Congress in Barcelona, Spain. I am honored to have represented this project and our Team at the Congress, and in the lead up to doing so, I received incredible support from both Dr. Gosart and Team Ukraine!  

3. You attended the ICA conference recently—what did you go there to do (present, learn, network), what moments stood out, and how has the experience shaped your current project and longer-term goals?

The presentation I delivered at the ICA Congress, Defending Cultural Identity: Documenting the Destruction of Ukrainian Libraries During Wartime, provided context and history of the project, discussed current and future goals, and explored how the destruction of libraries in Ukraine and their collections transcend the physical to contribute to the devastating loss of cultural heritage and identity. While in Barcelona, I was able to network with archivists from across the world including Ukraine, Namibia, Denmark, Canada, and France. As a result of this opportunity, our Team began communicating with some of the contacts made at the conference and are currently (as of December 2025) working with them on grant opportunities and to receive guidance and support on our goal of creating the instrument mentioned above so as to disseminate it to libraries across Ukraine, adding the data we receive to the digital archives.  

4. Which skills and tools have you strengthened through the independent study (literature reviewing, data management/analysis, ethics/IRB, writing, collaboration), and how do you balance this work with classes and other commitments?

Working with Dr. Gosart and Team Ukraine provided me with the opportunity to expand my understanding and application of skills related to metadata, data management, and conducting, analyzing, and incorporating research into the development of an instrument designed to assist Ukrainian librarians in documenting damage and destruction to libraries and holdings of cultural significance.  

Being able to dive deeply into this project and travel to Barcelona was tricky to balance! It involved a lot of early mornings and late nights, but I feel as though it was worth it. Additionally, I felt that the other classes I took (INFO 254 and INFO 256) reinforced what I was learning in the independent study. Last semester was a perfect blend between theory and experiential practice that I believe was only possible through engagement in an independent study that allowed me to apply what I was learning in real time!

5. For students who want to get into research at the iSchool, what concrete steps would you recommend—ways to propose an independent study, how to approach faculty, where to find opportunities?

rior to joining the MLIS program at the SJSU iSchool, I received incredibly helpful advice from a fellow student who joined the program a semester before I did: “The program is what you make of it”. And it’s true! Obviously the courses and instructors who teach them are fantastic, and when combined with the other pieces––independent studies, delivering conference presentations, internships, joining clubs and organizations, working with professors on topics of interest––together they serve as a catalyst for inspiration, exponential skill development, and discourse with scholars and professionals on historical and contemporary topics of interest within library and information sciences.

To get started, I recommend attending as many webinars and virtual presentations provided by iSchool organizations and instructors as you can fit into your schedule! This might mean watching a recording of the presentation if you’re unable to attend it “live”, and following up with presenters with questions afterwards. As mentioned above, I found out about Dr. Gosart’s work by attending a webinar during my first semester of the MLIS program, after which I followed up with her, and have been working alongside her and the Team ever since! Another approach I recommend is to look through the profiles of iSchool faculty to learn about their areas of interest and research projects they are conducting or have been involved in. I’ve found that instructors are extremely approachable and welcome questions or scheduling a time to meet with them to discuss ways your interests may align. Even if they do not have any projects or research opportunities available, they will most likely know fellow scholars and professionals who do and can connect you with them. Putting yourself out there and engaging in opportunities beyond the classroom can have a profound effect on your education and professional career!