iStudent Blog
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.
National Deaf History Month: Deaf Representation in Literature
iSchool Presents Free Online EDI Symposium May 5
Published: May 5, 2025 by Matsuko Friedland
Please join the SJSU iSchool in celebrating National Deaf History Month 2025 as we honor the achievements of our d/Deaf and hard of hearing community members.
Rooted in Culture, Growing Through Service
Alyssa Galvan's Journey into Librarianship
Published: April 23, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
Alyssa Galvan’s pride in her Mexican American identity is a thread that runs through her career and her aspirations. Raised in a family where Spanish was spoken with elders and cultural traditions were closely held, she always carried that sense of connection and responsibility. “My whole family’s Mexican, and my husband’s Mexican,” she said. “I love my culture.”
Rolling Libraries, Real Connections: A Conversation with ECHO Mobile Library in Greece
Information Gone Wild Blog: Episode 11
Published: April 15, 2025
What happens when you combine a van full of books, a passion for literacy, and a mission to connect people across cultures and borders? You get ECHO Mobile Library, a grassroots mobile library serving refugee communities around Athens, Greece.
From Retail to the Library
Published: April 10, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
While some iSchool students begin their journey shortly after completing their undergraduate degrees, many of us (myself included) have returned to the classroom after a decade or more, eager to forge a new path. Because online learning can be so isolating, a goal of mine is for this blog is to share stories of iSchool students from all backgrounds and walks of life, highlighting that no matter your circumstances, you’re not alone.
Mirna Gutierrez’s journey from a 15-year career at Target to becoming the sole library tech at a junior high school perfectly represents the new paths many of us are forging. In our conversation, she shared how a simple job tip evolved into a lifelong calling and how she’s balancing full-time work while pursuing her master’s degree in library science.
Making the Most of Spring Recess
Published: March 31, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
We’re officially more than halfway through the semester, and if you’re anything like me, you might be surprised by how fast (and somehow also slow?) that milestone arrived. Whether you’re feeling ahead of the game, barely hanging on or somewhere in between, spring recess offers us something precious: time.
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.
Information Gone Wild Blog: Episode 10
Interview with Nick Higgins: Chief Librarian of the Brooklyn Public Library
Published: March 17, 2025
Nick Higgins, Chief Librarian of Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), was named to the 2023 TIME100 Next list for his leadership in fighting censorship and book banning. He is the driving force behind BPL’s Books Unbanned initiative, which provides teens nationwide access to the library’s digital collection, and has inspired other libraries to join the movement for intellectual freedom.
The following is an excerpt from our recent Information Gone Wild podcast with Nick.
Women Empowerment: Leading & Thriving in LIS and Libraries
iSchool Presents Free Online EDI Symposium March 27, 2025
Published: March 7, 2025 by Matsuko Friedland
Please join the SJSU iSchool in celebrating Women’s History Month as we honor the achievements of women in LIS.
First Gen Symposium
iSchool Presents Online Symposium March 14
Published: March 7, 2025 by Matsuko Friedland
Please join the SJSU iSchool in celebrating our First Generation community, hosted in collaboration with the SJSU iSchool’s First Generation Student Group (FGS).
Ace Your Next Interview
Insights from REFORMA LA
Published: March 6, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
If you’re an MLIS student gearing up for job hunting, these tips from the latest REFORMA Los Angeles meeting are a great resource. The segment on interview questions and best practices was so packed with excellent advice that I couldn’t help but share a few highlights here.
From Rope Tricks to Reading Lists
Karen's Quest to Lasso Lifelong Learning
Published: February 25, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
iSchool Alum Karen Quest has been roping in audiences for most of her life and still incorporates her cowgirl act into her work with library outreach. Her show, Cowgirl Tricks, features trick roping, whip cracking and what she laughingly calls “kooky cowgirl shenanigans perfect for the whole family.” Karen has performed for corporate events, private parties, fairs and festivals nationwide. Yet, in 2011, she stepped into a new performance arena: libraries. At a children’s librarian showcase, she found an intriguing new audience. “As I continued to get booked at libraries, I noticed that librarians were funny and they were smart and they get it,” she explains. “And very different from the other clients that I did business with. And I started getting library curious.”
ALASC Presents: American Library Association 2026-2027 Presidential Campaign Event
Published: February 19, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
Being an active member of the American Library Association (ALA) means not just staying informed but also taking part in shaping the future of our profession. That’s why the upcoming 2026–2027 ALA Presidential Candidates Speaker Panel is such an exciting opportunity for iSchool students.
Information Gone Wild Blog: Episode 9
Elizabeth Ruane: The Emotional and Practical Challenges of Library Closures
Published: February 17, 2025
Elizabeth Ruane is the former
library director at Marlboro College in Vermont, which closed in
June 2020. Elizabeth co-edited the book Closing a College
Library, which explores the challenges and emotional impact of
library closures, and offers practical advice for navigating
these difficult times.
From Education to Libraries: Jackie’s Journey of Career Transition and Balance
Published: February 11, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
Making a career change can be stressful enough, but working on your second master’s degree while balancing a full-time job really ups the pressure! iSchool student Jackie Roussin is meeting the challenge with determination and enthusiasm. Jackie, a former educator, made the leap into librarianship in 2022 and now works as a children’s programming librarian while pursuing her MLIS degree.
What’s a Black Job? The Evolution of Black Librarians
iSchool Presents Online Symposium February 25
Published: January 28, 2025 by Matsuko Friedland
Please join the SJSU iSchool, California Librarians Black Caucus, and the SJSU Black Student Library Collective in celebrating Black History Month as we honor the achievements of our Black community members.
Information Gone Wild Blog: Episode 8
Amanda Jones: Advocacy and Activism in the Library World
Published: January 25, 2025
Amanda Jones is a passionate school librarian and author, widely recognized for her advocacy in the fight against book banning and censorship. Her new book, That Librarian, chronicles her personal journey through the challenges of standing up for libraries, navigating harassment, and advocating for the right to read. Through her powerful storytelling, Amanda highlights the importance of libraries in preserving democracy and the freedom to read. In this interview, Amanda shares insights into her activism, the role of professional networks, and the importance of speaking out for what you believe in.
Spotlight on iSchool Student Organizations
Why You Should Join One This Year
Published: January 14, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
The start of a new year and the beginning of a fresh semester is the perfect time to explore opportunities to connect with fellow iSchool students and build your professional network. Joining a student organization at SJSU iSchool helps you form connections and adds valuable experience to your resume. With various groups tailored to different interests, you’re bound to find one that aligns with your passions and career goals. Here’s a closer look at the incredible student organizations you can get involved in this year.
New Year, New Habits: Streamlining Your iSchool Life in 2025
Published: January 7, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
Implications of AI for Moving Image Archivists Hot Topic at AMIA Conference
Published: January 6, 2025 by Joshua Insel
This December, I attended the 2024 Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a travel grant from the iSchool. I am currently in my second year of the MLIS program and my chosen career pathway is archives and preservation. Moving image (i.e. film, television) archives are one area that I am particularly interested in. I am passionate about film history and often attend screenings of classic films in Los Angeles. Many of these screenings are of film prints in various formats, both in terms of film size and sound, so I have gained much familiarity with the technical aspects of film. I am also fascinated by restoration projects and the complex work that goes into them. I decided to attend the AMIA conference to learn more about the work of moving image archives and get to know professionals in the field.
Winter Break Reads: Cozy Up with These Page-Turners
Published: December 28, 2024 by Gabe Farmer
Winter break is here, and whether you’re curling up by the fire or hiding from the cold under a pile of blankets, there’s no better time to lose yourself in a great book. Instead of swiping through endless Netflix options or doomscrolling social media, why not swipe right on your next favorite read? To help you make the perfect match, I’ve put together “book profiles” for a few standout titles, each with its own unique vibe. From laugh-out-loud rom-coms to awe-inspiring sci-fi, these reads will keep you company when the sun begins to set at 4 pm. There’s something here for everyone, so grab a cup of cocoa and pick your next favorite escape!