Published: August 1, 2024 by Jennifer Emery

As a current SJSU School of Information MLIS graduate student, I recently attended the 2024 American Library Association Annual Conference in San Diego and assisted at the SJSU iSchool conference reception and Marketplace floor booth.

My interest in the SJSU iSchool’s MLIS program lies in digital services, archives and preservation, and I am very close to completing the Digital Assets Certificate. To be frank, my concentration is not to be a librarian per say, but to possibly work in digital asset management, archives, or museums, in addition to strengthening my current profession in the civil service local government sector in media, photography, and video creation. This is a longwinded way of saying I was out of my element at a library conference.

Right off the bat, the conference schedules were completely overwhelming. With so much content, it was hard to follow, so I decided to just wing it and not stress myself about scheduling back-to-back talks. For years I attended photography conventions, and I know how exhausting it can be planning too much. I did make sure, and would recommend planning, an arrival that allows you to attend the opening ceremony. ALA President Emily Drabinski did not disappoint, Shawn Thrasher of the California Library Association was dressed like a true San Diegan in a tropical surfer shirt, and there was a fabulous on stage Q&A with Trever Noah, whose quote of the day was, “The best way not to change someone’s mind is to try and change their mind.”

Between my duties at the SJSU iSchool booth, reception, and an on-camera interview for the school, I was able to walk the floor and experience an array of wonder. My favorite being the iSchool Library Technology Integration Lab’s presentation of its virtual reality preservation project with the Northern Cheyanne Tribe Seeking Immortality, and the use of immersive VR by the LTI Lab.

There were numerous authors signing copies of their books, notably “The Blind Woodman,” a memoir by John and Anni Furniss, who I had the honor to meet and talk to about inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace; and “Dark Archives” by Megan Rosenbloom, whose book delves into investigating books bound in human skin (yes, HUMAN SKIN). Having been a crime scene photographer for the better part of seven years, the author and I had some fun banter during the signing. The book did not disappoint as I jumped right in to read a couple chapters on the train ride back to Los Angeles.

I also acquired numerous children’s, young adult, and graphic novels signed by the authors for the array of young people in my life, all for FREE. I have to say the tradeshow floor was extra heavy on youth books and graphic novels and shy on adult literature.

Although one of the talks I wanted to attend on careers and interview skills was canceled, there were several networking and employment opportunities that I discovered. One being a short conversation with a recruiter from the CIA, who said many of their best hires have been from the SJSU iSchool graduate pool. While working the SJSU iSchool tradeshow floor booth, the sentiment from visitors was how great and well-rounded students were from the MLIS program. 

In conclusion, I highly recommend attending the ALA Annual Conference whether you are on a librarian career path or not, in addition to getting into some sort of internship during your studies that will help engage your participation in career-oriented activities. The LTI Lab internship is remote learning just like the program, so don’t be afraid to investigate internships, assuming you would have to be in-person.

Like many of you, I work full time while pursuing a master’s degree, and I don’t think I would have ever gone back to school without an online program available. Although at times it feels like we are working at this alone, this program can really build your relationships with fellow colleagues. I don’t think I would have attended any conferences without the engagement of an internship that has afforded me more in-depth relationships and interaction with professors, school staff, and other students.

A shoutout to my fall 2023 internship with the SJSU iSchool’s LTI Lab that afforded me the opportunity of receiving a travel grant to attend the conference.

Editor’s Note: The SJSU iSchool highly encourages students to attend professional conferences but also realizes that it can be cost prohibitive. Travel grants are available to eligible students to help lessen the financial burden and increase conference participation. iSchool student Jennifer Emery received one of these travel grants.