Home: Spotlight
MLIS Career Pathways: A Look at Academic Librarianship
Published: November 17, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Last month the iSchool Student Services team hosted a new Lunch and Learn Workshop as part of their ongoing series on MLIS pathways. The topic was academic librarianship and featured School of Information faculty members Dr. Deborah Hicks, Alison Johnson and Dr. Linda Main. What makes this pathway unique? As Taryn Reiner, student support specialist, explains, “Academic libraries are found in institutions of higher education – in community colleges, private colleges, major universities or specialized research institutes.” They employ about 26,000 professional librarians and account for 48 percent of the positions analyzed in the most recent MLIS Skills at Work report. The roles and responsibilities of academic librarians are diverse; they include instruction, research support, project management, technical services, reference and outreach. Over the course of the hour-long program, the panel shared their thoughts on the classes, skillsets and experiences that can best prepare students for work in this field.
Meet Dr. Darra Hofman, Ph.D, J.D.
Our New MARA Program Coordinator
Published: November 2, 2021 by Melissa Prunty Kemp
American Library Association Awards Seven iSchool Students Spectrum Scholarships
Congratulations to the 2021 Spectrum Scholars!
The American Library Association awarded a total of 60 highly competitive Spectrum Scholarships this year to “exceptional students” across the U.S. and Canada who are pursuing a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. Seven of those recipients are students enrolled in the fully online and ALA-accredited MLIS program at San José State University’s School of Information.
Attending Professional Conferences as a Student
Published: October 25, 2021 by Leslie Parry
I recently attended my first professional association conference as a San José State University School of Information student. I’ll admit I was a little apprehensive. Would I be out of my depth? Would there be other attendees like me – students, newly arrived to the profession – and would our curiosity be welcome in lieu of experience? Thankfully, the Special Libraries Association Annual Conference (held virtually in August) helped relieve some of my impostor syndrome. I attended fascinating programs, met multidisciplinary professionals around the world and participated in fun icebreakers from the comfort of my living room.
Alumnus Randall White on Changing the World with Informatics
“The informatic principles I am able to provide and assist a lot of our graduate students and our principal investigators with allow them to publish works that are pushing humanity forward.”
Randall White, ‘20 MS in Informatics
Computational Research Technical Consultant
Stanford University
Tulsa, OK
Student Carlos Bugarin: Leadership, Librarianship, and Lending a Helping Hand
“Everyone inspires me. Everyone has something different to contribute. The people I’ve interacted with have helped drive my passion for working with/helping others out. It’s like composing research in Library and Information Sciences - you start with a general idea, and it sharpens as you do more research.”
Carlos Bugarin, MLIS (degree expected Spring 2023)
San Diego, CA
Why Join a Student Group?
Published: September 17, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Student groups are a cornerstone of the San José State University School of Information. They offer professional connections, personal camaraderie and the chance to hone valuable skills outside of the curriculum, particularly in the areas of leadership and communication. So what does it mean to take part in one of these groups? What opportunities do they offer at the iSchool and beyond? These were a few of the questions posed at the Fall Student Group Meet & Greet, which featured the American Library Association (ALA), Society of American Archivists (SAA), Special Libraries Association (SLA), REFORMA and ASIS&T student chapters, as well as the Student Research Journal, the First Generation Student Group and VCARA. Over the course of the presentation each organization had the opportunity to introduce themselves, talk about the benefits and responsibilities of student group involvement, and connect with potential new members. Read on for a lightning round introduction to these award-winning organizations. (You can also view the entire presentation on the ALA student chapter’s YouTube channel).
The SJSU Writing Center: An iSchool Student’s Secret Weapon
Published: September 2, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Fall semester is finally here! Whether you’re just beginning INFO 200, preparing your e-Portfolio, or simply trying to recover your student brain after summer vacation, you’ll likely be tackling some major assignments in the coming months (or – gulp – weeks). Need help with a research paper? Want a refresher on citations or abstracts? Can’t be sure whether to use “who” or “whom”? The San José State University Writing Center offers a host of excellent free services – and a number are designed specifically for graduate students. From tutoring to live-chat sessions, how-to videos and handouts, the Writing Center can help you navigate the complexities of academic writing (or just master the nuts and bolts). Writing skills will be an asset in school and beyond, so there’s never a wrong time to reach out. I spoke with Michelle Hager, Director of the SJSU Writing Center, about the most useful resources for School of Information students.
iSchool Scholarships Support Students’ Career Dreams
This fall 76 new and continuing students enrolled in the master’s degree programs at the San José State University School of Information are starting their courses with reduced fees and affirmation that they chose the right school and career path for their goals.
MLIS Career Pathways: A Look at Information Intermediation and Instruction
Published: August 12, 2021 by Leslie Parry
If you haven’t yet attended a session, be sure to check out the iSchool Student Services Lunch and Learn webinar series. These virtual chats, held live over Zoom, give students a chance to interact with the Student Services team, ask the faculty burning questions, and learn more about opportunities for success at the San José State University School of Information. Of particular note are the webinars exploring different MLIS career pathways. Most recently the featured pathway was Information Intermediation and Instruction. Panelists included faculty members Dr. José Aguiñaga, Dr. Lili Luo, and Director of Online Learning Bethany Winslow. As Sheila Gurtu, the webcast host and Student Outreach Specialist, explains, this pathway prepares students for careers in reference services, instructional design and related information settings. Among the topics discussed were essential skills, recommended coursework and potential professions. Read on for highlights from this excellent discussion.
Two Faculty Members Receive Full Tenure and Promotions
Two faculty members at the San José State University School of Information, Dr. Virginia Tucker and Dr. Mary Ann Harlan, will start the fall 2021 semester with full tenure and new titles of associate professor. Tucker has been teaching at the iSchool for more than 15 years, while Harlan joined the faculty in 2010.
New Director Appointed for SJSU School of Information
Dr. Anthony Chow to Lead the iSchool
With deep roots in the Bay Area, Dr. Anthony Chow is eager to bring his leadership, academic, professional, and personal experience and background to the San José State University School of Information as its new director. Chow makes his way to the #1 Most Transformative University from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he was an associate professor in the Department of Library and Information Science. His appointment as the iSchool’s director officially begins July 20, 2021, filling the open position previously held by Dr.
Alumna Wins NJLA Innovative Program Award for International Pen Pal Club
Global Exchange Facilitated by Skills Gained in MLIS Online Program
Westwood, N.J. Children’s Librarian Denise Lester was both delighted and surprised when she learned that she’d been honored by the New Jersey Library Association for an ingenious pen pal program.
A recent alumna of the School of Information at San José State University, Lester was gratified to have her hard work in organizing an international exchange recognized; however last-minute technical issues while uploading her submission had left her unsure whether or not she’d made the deadline.
Two iSchool Alumnae are Movin’ and Shakin’ the Future of Libraries
Congratulations to the 2021 Library Journal Movers and Shakers
This June, two alumnae of the School of Information at San José State University joined the prestigious ranks of Library Journal’s Movers and Shakers. The 2021 list named Christina Jupp Grove, ’12 MLIS, as an Advocate; and Shawna Sherman, ’07 MLIS, as a Change Agent. They are in good company with 44 other librarians, library workers, volunteers and vendors from across the country who were recognized for their leadership, innovation and for “moving the library field forward as a profession.”
New Graduates Reflect on Their Time in the iSchool
Published: June 14, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Congratulations to the Class of 2021! A virtual convocation was held to honor the School of Information’s newest graduates. The recorded event, which can be viewed here, featured excellent speeches by Debbie Faires, recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Service Award, Dr. Patricia Franks, recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Professor Award, and Samantha Hamilton, recipient of the 2021 Haycock Award, who spoke eloquently about the intersection of information science and environmental sustainability.
Conference Grants Lead to Networking Opportunities for iSchool Students
An email from an instructor and an informal application process led to a transformative experience for a coterie of graduate students at San José State University’s School of Information this spring.
Get a Jump-Start With Summer Opportunities
Published: May 26, 2021 by Leslie Parry
The end of the semester is here! For months we’ve been rearranging our lives and work around the pandemic, keeping up with our studies, and waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel. Now it’s time to take a break and celebrate! For those who are looking to keep up momentum during the summer, there are plenty of ways to stay engaged. From summer classes to networking opportunities to simply getting organized, here are ideas for enhancing your iSchool experience over summer break.
Haycock Award Winner Combines Librarianship with Sustainability
Samantha Hamilton is the 2021 Graduating Student Speaker
The Student Scholarship Awards Committee has chosen Samantha Hamilton to receive the Ken Haycock Award for Exceptional Professional Promise. Hamilton, who earns her Master of Library and Information Science degree this May, will receive $1,000 and a citation and will deliver the graduating student address at San José State University School of Information’s virtual convocation this year.
Course Assignment Leads to Dream Library Job
Recent Grad’s Resume ‘Impressive’ Says Supervisor
Melissa Taylor, a recent graduate of the Master of Library and Information Science program at the San José State University School of Information, took a class in library marketing during her final semester and used a course assignment to market herself into a new job.
iSchool Alumni on the e-Portfolio: What I Wish I Had Known
Published: April 13, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Three recent graduates of the San José State University School of Information joined the ASIS&T Student Chapter to discuss “What I Wish I Had Known.” Now that they’re entering or established in the workforce, the alumni shared their wisdom with current iSchool students, discussing everything from course work to career paths. One of the main topics of conversation, unsurprisingly, was the e-Portfolio. While the alumni stressed three major points – plan ahead, don’t procrastinate, and get peer support – they also delved into the finer details. Below is their expert advice for tackling the biggest project in graduate school.