iStudent Blog

Overview

iStudent Blog

Students in all of our programs, as well as applicants, will find the iStudent Blog a gold mine. Written by a current student, this blog provides important information and resources and useful advice, including posts about courses, career pathways, online learning, time management, student groups, conferences, and financial aid.

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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!

iStudent Blog

Symposium Recap of ‘From Curation and Preservation to Showcasing, the Role of Libraries in African Americans and the Arts’
Black History Month Symposium

Symposium Recap of ‘From Curation and Preservation to Showcasing, the Role of Libraries in African Americans and the Arts’

Published: September 10, 2024 by Matsuko Friedland

In honor of Black History Month, the San José State University iSchool hosted a free online symposium on February 21st, 2024, titled “From Curation and Preservation to Showcasing, the Role of Libraries in African Americans and the Arts”. A recording of the event is available on YouTube. The symposium was presented in partnership with California Librarians Black Caucus (CLBC) and featured moderators Carolyn Norman and Tina Fontenot, keynote Nichelle M. Hayes, and a panel with Dr. Marva DeLoach, Joy M. Doan, and Shauntee Burns-Simpson.

iStudent Blog

ALA Annual Ignites My Passion for a Career in Libraries

San Diego street view

Published: July 30, 2024 by Cindy Ries

At the end of June 2024, I was able to attend the ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, CA, with financial assistance through the iSchool’s travel grant. Having just completed my second semester in the program, this was an amazing opportunity to participate in this conference to learn and connect with fellow students and professionals.

iStudent Blog

Attending ALA Annual was Completely Worth It for this Introvert

2024 ALA Annual Conference Banner at San Diego Convention Center

Published: July 25, 2024 by Ava Jones

I had the opportunity to attend the 2024 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, California, thanks to a generous travel grant from the iSchool. I had never attended a professional conference before, and attending this conference allowed me to feel more connected to the field of librarianship. It helped me build connections with the other students at the iSchool. It helped me learn more about AI and other current topics in the field and helped develop my professional confidence.

iStudent Blog

2024 ALA National Conference Provides Education on Librarianship and Tech Trends

Core Pre-Conference Sign

Published: July 18, 2024 by Shannon Broden

The American Library Association National Conference took place from June 27 to July 2, 2024 in San Diego, California. With the assistance of funds from the San José State University School of Information to cover travel expenses to San Diego and promote student leadership of the school’s ALA Student Chapter and the User Experience Student Group, I was able to attend a pre-conference, as well as some panels organized by ALA CORE. ALA’s CORE: Leadership, Infrastructure and Futures association focuses on “buildings & operations, leadership & management, metadata & collections, and technology.” (Source: https://www.ala.org/core)

iStudent Blog

Disability Pride Month 2024

A group of people with various disabilities sitting around an activity table. Disability Pride Month.  Wednesday, July 17, 2024 10AM-12PM Pacific Time. Accessible Programming in Libraries: A Disability-Led Approach.

Published: July 8, 2024 by Matsuko Friedland

Please join the SJSU iSchool in our first celebration of Disability Pride Month as we honor the achievements of our disabled community members.

iStudent Blog

Pride Month 2024

A group of people smiling. LGBTQI+ Pride Month. Thursday, July 11, 2024 10am-12pm Pacific Time. Queering Metadata.

Published: July 8, 2024 by Matsuko Friedland

Please join the SJSU iSchool as we celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and more (LGBTQIA+) librarians and librarianship. This month’s symposium will feature a diverse array of panelists, who bring their expertise in various aspects of the LIS field.

iStudent Blog

Symposium Recap of ‘Honoring the Past & Planning for the Future: Indigenous Perspectives on Library and Information Sciences’
Native American Heritage Month Symposium

Symposium Recap of ‘Honoring the Past & Planning for the Future: Indigenous Perspectives on Library and Information Sciences’

Published: July 8, 2024 by Matsuko Friedland

As part of the national celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the San José State University (SJSU) iSchool hosted a free online symposium on November 3, 2023, titled “Honoring the Past & Planning for the Future: Indigenous Perspectives on Library and Information Sciences”. The symposium began with a welcome and land acknowledgement by Dr. Anthony Chow. Next, Dr. Tonia San Nicolas-Rocca introduced the keynote speakers, featuring Indigenous LIS leaders: Halena Kapuni-Reynolds, Associate Curator of Native Hawaiian History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian; Jennifer Himmelreich, Senior Program Officer, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS); and Richard Sneed, 28th Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

iStudent Blog

Interview with iSchool Alum, Eori Tokunaga

Published: April 28, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor

For an online MLIS program, I was worried about feeling isolated. However, I have been fortunate to meet many fellow iSchool students, including Eori Tokunaga, who I met after I was hired to be the iSchool’s student blogger. Eori just graduated from the iSchool, and I chatted with her about her experience with the program.

iStudent Blog

Irish Heritage Month

Published: March 23, 2024 by Nicole Azof

Please join the SJSU iSchool as we celebrate Irish Heritage Month, the time where we observe both the hardships and achievements Irish immigrants faced since arriving in America in pursuit of better livelihoods.