Home: Spotlight
iSchool Student Mackenzie Yanez Selected as BSLISE International Scholar
Mackenzie Yanez, a graduate student at the San José State University School of Information, has been selected as the Building Strong Library and Information Science Education International Scholar. This honor reflects her commitment to global librarianship and inclusive library and information science education.
iSchool and ALA Launch Transformative ThinkTank Series
San José State University’s School of Information has partnered with the American Library Association to launch a dynamic new series titled ALA ThinkTank. The initiative brings together leading voices in the library and information science field to address some of the profession’s most pressing societal challenges, offering practical strategies and forward-thinking dialogue through free, interactive webinars.
Exploring Informatics: Ronna Del Rosario’s Path at the Intersection of Healthcare and Technology
Published: March 25, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
Embarking on a new academic and professional path is both challenging and rewarding. For iSchool student Ronna Del Rosario, this journey led her from a career in nursing to the field of informatics, where she integrates her healthcare experience with her interest in user design and coding.
Inspirational Trainer and Podcaster Maurice Coleman
“I like it when someone is successful, and I helped them get there.”
Maurice Coleman, SJSU Podcaster
Baltimore, Maryland
So You’re Graduating in May, Now What?
Published: January 15, 2025 by Aryn Prestia
It can be exciting to enter your final semester in the MLIS program. Whether that effort has been months or years in the making, you are now ready to demonstrate the culmination of your hard work in your e-portfolio and a degree that will lead you to a new career.
iSchool-Sponsored ‘Library Hunter’ YouTube Channel Advocates for Libraries
A YouTube channel created by an engineer with an artistic soul is showcasing the impact of libraries with support from the San José State University School of Information. Cathy Yang’s Library Hunter videos blend her identity as a lifelong learner with libraries as a primary empowerment source.
iSchool Alum Jonna Paden Appointed President of the American Indian Library Association
Jonna C. Paden, an archivist at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, has been named president of the American Indian Library Association for 2024-2025. A graduate of the San José State University School of Information’s Master of Library and Information Science program, Paden brings extensive experience in library science and archival work to her new leadership role.
Access For All with Marc Hoffeditz
“I am a practitioner at heart, I like helping people figure out the nuts and bolts way to make things happen.”
Marc Hoffeditz, MLIS ‘24
Northampton, Massachusetts
Getting that First Library Experience
Published: December 4, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
If you have started the job search, you’ve likely noticed that a majority of the postings indicate that experience is required. In fact, the most recent MLIS Skills at Work Report disclosed that 88% of job announcements include the stipulation that experience is required or preferred.
But what do you do if you’ve devoted yourself to your MLIS degree full-time and have no library experience? In this post, we’ll be looking into how you gain library experience when you have none.
SJSU School of Information Wins Prestigious Anthem Award for Virtual Reality Innovation
The San José State University School of Information has been honored with a Silver Anthem Award for Digital and Innovative Experiences in Education, Art & Culture.
CLA Awards iSchool Affiliates for their Commitment to Innovation and Community Impact
The California Library Association’s annual Awards Gala held on October 18, 2024, highlighted the remarkable contributions of library professionals statewide, including several affiliates of the San José State University School of Information. The award recipients shared insights into the significance of their work and its impact on their communities.
What Do You Want to Do with Your Information Skills?
Your Interview Outfit: What to Consider
Published: October 16, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
When preparing for an interview, it’s common to brush up on potential interview questions but it’s also important to consider how you will present yourself to a potential employer. A huge part of your first impression relates to what you are wearing.
Symposium Recap of ‘From Silence to Pride’
National Deaf History Month Symposium
Published: October 25, 2024 by Matsuko Friedland
In honor of National Deaf History Month, the San José State University iSchool hosted a free online symposium on April 30, 2024, titled “Silence to Pride”. A recording of the event is available on YouTube. The symposium featured co-keynotes KayCee Choi and Alicia Deal, and a panel with Brenden Gilbert, Evelyn Keolian, Sadia R. Khan, and Brad McKenna.
A Witch’s Guide to Online Learning: Success Tips for iSchool Students
Published: October 14, 2024 by Gabe Farmer
The San José State University iSchool provides students with a cornucopia of resources to help steer our course through our chosen programs. However, the iSchool Student Resources page provides a whopping 124 links to various resources in just one webpage. My goal in this post is to provide a pragmatic and digestible guide to some of the most commonly used student resources.
The Army, Music and Librarianship with Kathryn Beyer
Kathryn Beyer is about to graduate from the SJSU iSchool Post-Master’s Certificate Program. She has had a multifaceted career that blends the Army and librarianship.
Kathryn Beyer, ‘24, Post-Master’s Certificate
Washington, D.C.
Building Community Through Stories: Introducing Gabe, New iSchool Blog Writer
Published: September 26, 2024 by Gabe Farmer
Hello, fellow San José State University School of Information students! I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with many of you in classes and group projects already, but there are still so many of you I haven’t had the chance to meet yet. My name is Gabe Farmer and I’ll be your new iSchool blog writer! I’m excited to take up this mantle and create helpful, engaging, and community-building content for us all to share. First, I’d like to tell y’all a bit about myself, so you can get an idea of the person behind the posts!
iSchool Invests in Future Leaders with $300,000 in Scholarships
Fall 2024 Scholarship Winners Announced
San José State University’s School of Information has awarded $338,000 in scholarships for the fall 2024 semester, helping ease financial burdens for more than a hundred students while empowering them to pursue their career goals. These scholarships, available to both new and current students, demonstrate the school’s commitment to supporting future leaders in the information professions.
Transforming School Libraries Nationwide
iSchool Joins Forces with Keith Curry Lance to Advance SLIDE Project
The San José State University School of Information continues to advocate for the critical role of school librarianship in K-12 education, most recently hiring school librarianship expert Keith Curry Lance as a research consultant and providing support to further the School Librarian Investigation—Divergence & Evolution SLIDE project, which highlights the evolving role of school libraries nationwide.
iSchool Launches New Podcast Series ‘Information Gone Wild’
San José State University School of Information is thrilled to announce the launch of its new podcast series, “Information Gone Wild: Conversations from the Field.” This engaging podcast explores various topics within the contemporary library landscape.