Home: Spotlight
Discovering Data Science with Keith Fernandez
“Data impacts everyone. And that’s what this program is about – helping gear a person towards how to use that data and make sense of that data, protect that data, and leverage that data for health care and all kinds of industries.”
Keith Fernandez
San Diego, CA
SJSU B.S. in ISDA expected Spring 2023
Virtual Reality in Libraries Explored in New MLIS Course
A new elective is being offered in the Master of Library and Information Science program for fall 2022. INFO 287-19, Feel the Learn: The Library Advancing Virtual Reality, is a course available to students enrolled in the MLIS Special Session at San José State University School of Information. The prerequisite for the course is the completion of INFO 200 and INFO 203. This new three-unit course will discuss the past and future use of virtual reality (VR) technology in libraries.
Preserving Family History with Harold T. Pinkett Student of Color Award Winner Erin Castillo
“The award has really been the cherry on top to say, ‘you’re on the right path. Just keep going. Trust your instincts, follow your interests and what you enjoy.’ That’s what the award means to me – that my idea is something that is not available in every community right now, but could be beneficial.”
Erin Castillo, ‘23 MLIS
Los Angeles, CA
Paving The Way In Youth Librarianship with Jane Gov
“You need to know that you’re going to fail. I think there’s this perception that all of my programs are successful, and they’re not. That’s a misconception. It’s not that they’re failures, there’s always a learning curve.”
Jane Gov, ‘11 MLIS
Pasadena, CA
New Perspectives: iSchool Hires Five Tenure-Track Assistant Professors
Published June 7, 2022 by Hilary Meehan
I discovered something exciting while flipping through my June 2022 edition of ALA’s American Libraries yesterday; the SJSU iSchool has hired five new tenure-track assistant professors! Their names are José Aguiñaga, Jessica Bushey, Ulia Gosart, James Hodges and Norman Mooradian. Welcome one and all!
Understanding Good Library Management with Tiffany Duck
“I like being a manager. I know it can be stressful but I really like it. I think it gives you the opportunity to help shape people’s work and help them grow and get to where they want to go professionally.”
Tiffany Duck, ‘13 MLIS
Suffolk, VA
A Life of Libraries with Stephanie Saba
“I love libraries. I love this profession. You just meet so many amazing people every day…I just love it. Like I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
Stephanie Saba, ‘12 MLIS
Pacifica, CA
Consider a Dynamic Career in Informatics
Published: May 10, 2022 by Hilary Meehan
The SJSU iSchool offers three fully online, master’s-level degree options: the MLIS program, the MARA program and the MS in Informatics. Today, we will explore the cutting edge field of informatics and the exciting career opportunities it offers for iSchool students.
Dipping Your Toes in the Water: Conference Poster Presentation as an iSchool Student
Published: May 4, 2022 by Laura Darlington
In April, the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA) held their 50th annual conference in Chicago, and I had the pleasure of attending and presenting thanks to the SJSU iSchool. Last year, I logged on to ARLIS/NA’s virtual conference, yet after two years of remote learning and pandemic isolation, I felt eager for an in-person experience.
Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
iSchool Presents EDI Symposium May 10
Published: May 3, 2022 by Guadalupe Martinez
In 1990, the United States designated the month of May as Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to commemorate their rich history and cultural legacy. Asian identity includes people with heritage from East Asian, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The umbrella term Pacific Islander includes peoples of Oceania and Native Hawaiians. AAPI identity is globally and culturally diverse. LIS professionals continue to play a significant role in addressing a range of information needs and advocacy work.
Student Chapter of the Year Award Goes to ALASC
iSchool Students Recognized for their ‘Incredible Work’
The American Library Association Student Chapter at the San José State University School of Information has been awarded Chapter of the Year. This is the fifth time the ALA Student Chapter has won this prestigious award. One of the main reasons ALASC was chosen was due to their member engagement, as well as the chapter’s ability to create opportunities for leadership, especially during the pandemic.
Publication on Dementia Services Propels iSchool Instructor to Award Winner
Dr. Timothy Dickey Receives 2022 RUSA Award
Dr. Timothy Dickey was awarded the 2022 RUSA Margaret E. Monroe Award for Library Adult Services. On winning the award, Dickey stated, “I am deeply humbled and tremendously honored by the award, which recognizes so many aspects of my professional life as a librarian, a faculty member, an author, and as someone dedicated to professional service.”
A Mother and Daughter’s MLIS Journey
“You start with a love of books and go down to questions of who is the keeper of the information, and how do we keep it safe, and how do we organize it in such a way that future generations can find it, and all that stuff… It’s very cool.”
Julie Tilsner MLIS
Long Beach, CA
Community Impact: Call for Conference Posters
Published: March 17, 2022 by Hilary Meehan
The SJSU iSchool invites graduate students to submit posters for presentation at the upcoming California Library Association (CLA) and American Library Association (ALA) conferences. Posters should represent the student’s research projects, innovations and/or internship experiences as related to a specific information community.
Scholarly Research: Publishing and Presenting
Published March 2, 2022 by Hilary Meehan
Hello, SJSU iStudent virtual community! I’m Hilary (she/her/hers), your new iStudent blogger. I look forward to addressing your school-related information needs effectively and comprehensively. Additionally, I encourage you to communicate to me your ideas, comments, questions, and concerns regarding the blog. You may use the comment box at the bottom of each blog post or contact me directly at hilary.meehan@sjsu.edu. I look forward to hearing from you and commit myself to respond to your messages.
Scholarships Lessen Financial Worry and Reaffirm Career Path
Spring 2022 Scholarship Winners Announced
This spring, the School of Information at San José State University awarded a total of 44 scholarships valued at $124,000 to new and continuing students enrolled in its master’s degree programs.
Celebrating Black History Month
Published: February 22, 2022 by Guadalupe Martinez
At San José State University, our ongoing and upcoming calendar events and resources aim to uplift and honor the legacies of our diverse communities. Join us in celebrating Black History Month, highlighting the historic contributions and movements within the Black Diaspora.
Six iSchool Graduates Selected for ALA’s 2022 Emerging Leaders Program
The American Library Association has announced its Class of Emerging Leaders for 2022. Six graduates of the Master of Library and Information Science program at the San José State University School of Information have been chosen for this prestigious title. They are Emily Aaronson, ’15 MLIS; Bryan Duran, ’18 MLIS; Lauren Hall, ’20 MLIS; Victoria Montes de Oca Perez, ’17 MLIS; Kristin Peers, ’16 MLIS; and Patricia Zeider, ’16 MLIS.
Reassess Your Self-Assessment for 2022
Published: January 3, 2022 by Jillian Collins
The career self-assessment is yet
another amazing iSchool tool. The
self-assessment is a template for you to conceptualize the
functions, people, and setting you want for your career. It’s
2022, a new year with obstacles beyond your control. Consider the
optimism and strengths gained both academically and personally to
map out important aspects of interactions, duties, and physical
work environment.
Natasha Finnegan: Aspiring for Library Leadership and Management
“I like doing a lot of things, I could never put myself into a box (when it came to a career,) but when I started working in a library, I knew it was where I was meant to be.”
Natasha Finnegan, MLIS Student (expected graduation date in
spring 2022)
Salisbury, MD