iStudent Blog: Community and Engagement
A Trip to DC for the 2022 ALA Annual Conference
Published: July 12, 2022 by Alicia Perez
This past year for me has been a rush of information, opportunity, and comradery. I did not think at this point last year that I would be in the middle of a summer graduate course, working towards my MLIS, and have the opportunity to travel and experience a conference to see my fellow peers, potential co-workers, trending authors and illustrators, and more! Thanks to the generosity of San José State University’s iSchool travel grant, I was able to visit Washington, DC this past June 25th to 26th to see the first annual conference held by the American Library Association post-COVID-19 quarantine.
LGBTQIA+ Resources in the Library
An inclusive library enhances our world
Published: July 7, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
In honor of Pride Month, the SJSU iSchool hosted an EDI Symposium on June 30, 2022, titled “How LGBTQIA+ Librarians Shape Libraries Today.” SJSU iSchool Director Anthony Chow opened the symposium with a personal anecdote about discrimination he has faced in his own life, followed by introductions for the keynote speaker, Dr. Shannon Oltmann.
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
iSchool Presents EDI Online Symposium June 30
Published: June 23, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
Please join the SJSU School of Information in honoring our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) community as we celebrate Pride month.
Symposium Recap: Ukrainian Libraries in the Ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War
Published: June 22, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
The San Jose State University iSchool presented a symposium on June 15, 2022, regarding the conditions and services of Ukrainian Libraries during the Russian-Ukrainian war. The audience was welcomed by iSchool Director Anthony Chow and Assistant Professor Ulia Gosart, with Ukrainian and English translations provided by Oleksii Deikun.
Ukraine and the Role of Libraries: A Q&A with Dr. Ulia Gosart
Published: June 21, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
As part of our efforts to uplift community voices, Dr. Ulia Gosart shares her personal and professional experiences as it relates to the Russian-Ukrainian War. Dr. Gosart is an assistant professor with the San José State University School of Information. She received her Ph.D. in Information Studies from the University of California Los Angeles, her M.S. in Library and Information Science from Connecticut State University, and her B.A. in Librarianship from Kiev National University of Culture and Arts in Ukraine.
Honoring Juneteenth Day
iSchool Presents Online EDI Symposium June 20
Published: June 16, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
The San José State University iSchool is committed to actively honoring and amplifying stories from diverse communities as part of our goal to be a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible community. As SJSU Spartans, it is imperative that we cultivate a justice-oriented and community-minded culture for students, faculty and staff.
Ukraine and Libraries
iSchool Presents Online EDI Symposium June 15
Published: June 13, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
The San José State University iSchool continually seeks to share stories from our diverse communities and honor their legacies through our ongoing calendar events.
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.
d/Deaf Culture and Community in LIS: A Q&A with Dr. Mary Bolin
Published: April 20, 2022 by Guadalupe Martinez
In recognition of Deaf History Month, Dr. Mary Bolin shares her insights as a dedicated advocate for d/Deaf patrons and library professionals. Throughout the interview, you will note the shifting capitalization of ‘D’ in Deaf or lowercase ‘d’ in deaf. The choice to toggle between letter case, and the way in which one identifies along the spectrum of hearing loss, is deeply personal and varies from individual to individual. To embrace this spectrum of identity, the following text will express the community and culture as d/Deaf where applicable.
Deaf Culture, Education and Advocacy
National Deaf History Month
Published: April 14, 2022 by Guadalupe Martinez
Deaf Culture and Community
Recognized from March 13 through April 15, National Deaf History Month was initiated in 1997. The following timeline of landmark events have shaped Deaf culture, education and advocacy in throughout history and the growing connections to library and information science.
Women in Information
Women leaders discuss experiences and expectations
Published: March 31, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
SJSU iSchool Director Anthony Chow and Dr. Tonia San Nicolas-Rocca hosted an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) symposium for Women’s History Month on March 22, 2022. Shirley Lew, the dean for the School of Arts and Science at Vancouver Community College and editor of “Feminist Among Us: Resistance and Advocacy in Library Leadership,” began the symposium with a presentation on Women in Information.
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Published: March 28, 2022 by Guadalupe Martinez
Women’s History Month creates space to uplift the extraordinary legacies and lived realities of women around the world. We acknowledge their historic struggles and honor the endless contributions to librarianship, information professions, and beyond. This year, the iSchool held a free EDI symposium, “Women in Information,” to commemorate this month with forward-thinking, visionary dialogue. In case you missed it, check the on-demand webcasts for the recording.
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.
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.
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.
Building Your Professional Network as an iSchool Student
Published: July 27, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Kim Dority, the iSchool Student and Alumni Career Advisor, recently gave an insightful presentation about an essential (if occasionally dreaded) topic: “How to Build Your Professional Network (Without Feeling Weird About It).” To some people, the idea of networking can be exciting and invigorating; to others, awkward and stressful. No matter if you’re an extrovert or an introvert, a graduate student or a seasoned librarian, network-building is core to the profession. But don’t let your anxiety get the better of you. As Dority describes, it’s not about schmoozing or having transactional, superficial relationships; it is about growth, connection, and helping your colleagues and friends. “Building a valuable, sustainable network is a long-term play that involves creating genuine relationships of mutual benefit,” she says.
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.
“Ask Me Anything” with Dr. Linda Main
Published: March 15, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Dr. Linda Main, interim director of the San José State University School of Information, met with iSchool students earlier this month for an insightful “Ask Me Anything” session. These regular, informal meetups give students a chance to chat with the director and ask about anything from career paths to iSchool resources to the LIS world at large. Below are just a few of the questions Dr. Main fielded. To view the full Q&A, click here.