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iSchool Alum Jonna Paden Appointed President of the American Indian Library Association

Jonna Paden

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.

Community Profile

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

Career Blog

Getting that First Library Experience

Several people on laptops working at a table

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. 

Career Blog

Your Interview Outfit: What to Consider

Clothing on a Rack

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. 

iStudent Blog

Symposium Recap of ‘From Silence to Pride’
National Deaf History Month Symposium

Symposium Recap of ‘From Silence to Pride’

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.

iStudent Blog

A Witch’s Guide to Online Learning: Success Tips for iSchool Students

The 3 Sanderson Sisters standing in front of a computer with an SJSU iSchool Pumpkin on their desk

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.

iStudent Blog

Building Community Through Stories: Introducing Gabe, New iSchool Blog Writer

Gabe, his wife, and his dog

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!

News

iSchool Invests in Future Leaders with $300,000 in Scholarships
Fall 2024 Scholarship Winners Announced

Abbie Swanson

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.

News

Transforming School Libraries Nationwide
iSchool Joins Forces with Keith Curry Lance to Advance SLIDE Project

Keith Curry Lance

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.

News

iSchool Partners with Coursera: Elevating Education for Students and Alumni
New Collaboration Enhances Learning with Industry-Recognized Credentials

Coursera Company Logos

Students enrolled in the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at the San José State University School of Information have a new added-value opportunity to further elevate their educational experiences. The iSchool recently announced a partnership with Coursera, a global platform for online learning and career development, to ensure its graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the modern workforce.

News

iSchool Open Classes Program Celebrates Decade of Educational Excellence
‘Vital Resource for Information Professionals,’ says Program Creator Dr. Hirsh

Open Classes 10th Anniversary

The Open Classes program at San José State University School of Information, initiated in 2014 by Dr. Sandy Hirsh, former iSchool director and current associate dean of academics, marks its 10th anniversary in 2024. This innovative program was designed to offer master’s-level courses for college credit, providing a unique opportunity for students to “try before they apply,” advance their degree program before officially enrolling, and enhance their skills at their own pace as a continuing education option.