News: General
iSchool Recognizes 10 Faculty and Staff Members with Awards
Each spring, except in 2022, the San José State University School of Information recognizes its faculty and staff members with special awards for their achievements in several different areas. During the quarterly faculty retreat held in May, iSchool Director Anthony Chow announced the 2023 award recipients.
25th Issue of the Student Research Journal Explores Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Library and Information Science
The 25th issue of the fully student-run Student Research Journal is now available online. The issue, published in May 2023, features an invited contribution from the director of the San José State University School of Information, an editorial by the editor-in-chief and an editorial by the managing editor.
SJSU and QUT Celebrate the 23rd Graduate of the Gateway PhD Program
Stephen Abrams Earns Doctorate
Dr. Stephen Abrams is the 23rd individual to earn his PhD from Queensland University of Technology in Australia. The Gateway PhD program offered a doctorate through a partnership between the San José State University School of Information and Queensland University of Technology from 2008 to 2021.
New Library Technology Integration Lab Set to ‘Explore the Future of Library and Library Education’
The Library Technology Integration
Lab is a new offering to San José State University School of
Information students.
iSchool Students Supported Every Step of their Learning Journey
Student Services Team Expands Services with Live Chat, Personalized Coaching, and Spanish-Speaking Advising
As the front line of student support for San José State University’s School of Information, the Student Services Team is consistently innovating to meet and anticipate the needs of its diverse population. To enhance its reach, the team has recently expanded in size and scope. The addition of two new staff members and increased engagement platforms has amplified access to the team’s services and resources.
iSchool Prioritizes Health and Wellness with Addition of New Advisor
Focused on health and wellness, the San José State University School of Information has tapped into Loida Garcia-Febo’s expertise and passion for wellness in librarianship, bringing her on board as the iSchool’s first health and wellness advisor. Garcia-Febo is past-president of the American Library Association, among other noteworthy positions. In this new role at the iSchool, she will bring a variety of resources about mental health and wellness.
iSchool Director and Two Alumni on Ballot for CLA Board of Directors
The California Library Association has announced the roster of candidates for the Board of Directors. Continuing a strong representation of leaders from the San José State University School of Information, the 2022 CLA ballot includes the iSchool’s director and two alumni.
MLIS Degree Program Fully Re-accredited by American Library Association
The American Library Association has re-accredited San José State University’s Master in Library and Information Science degree program for another seven years. The ALA has continually accredited the MLIS program, one of three master’s degrees offered at the SJSU School of Information, since 1969.
Graduation Speakers Announced for iSchool’s Virtual Convocation
ALA President Patty Wong and Air Force Chief Data Officer Eileen M. Vidrine to Deliver Speeches
The San José State University School
of Information will be celebrating its graduating students at two
ceremonies in May. One will be virtual while the other will be
held in person. Dr. Anthony Chow, director of the School on
Information, commented on the ceremonies as a “wonderful time to
celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates and we are
extremely proud of all of them.”
iSchool’s Hispanic Heritage Month Programming Provides Long-term EDI Resources
The School of Information at San José State University celebrated Hispanic Heritage month in October by gathering a stellar mix of iSchool students, professors and notable guests for a series of enthusiastic discussions across two online events, both exploring how libraries can better serve their Hispanic/Latinx communities.
iSchool and Partners Win IMLS Grant to Support Indigenous Librarianship
A project aimed at increasing diversity of the library profession is coming to fruition. The San José State University School of Information, American Indian Library Association, the Alaska State Library are partners on a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grant worth over $700,000 awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Alaska Library Network. The grant will fund Bridging Knowledge: Supporting Indigenous Scholars in the Field of Librarianship.
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.
‘Transformational Learning Space’ Project Wins Grant Funding
New Digital Humanities Center in King Library Set to Open in 2026
Two alumnae of the School of Information at San José State University, who are also current faculty members, helped win the university a major grant to fund a Digital Humanities Center at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. Ann Agee, interim dean for the King Library, and Christina Mune, associate dean of innovation and resource management for the King Library, are co-directors of the project with Shannon Miller, dean of the College of Humanities.
New Staff Members Support iSchool Students Behind the Scenes
Two new staff members joined the School of Information at San José State University at the beginning of the spring 2021 semester. Taryn Reiner started as student support specialist January 25, and Bethany Winslow arrived on February 8 as the new e-learning specialist. Winslow will take on Debbie Faires’ non-faculty responsibilities when Faires retires at the end of this semester.
iSchool Faculty Members Debbie Faires and Dr. Patricia Franks Will Deliver Dual Convocation Addresses This May
The School of Information at San José State University will celebrate graduates of its fully online programs in a virtual convocation May 20, at 5 p.m. PDT. Debbie Faires and Dr. Patricia Franks, two pillars of the iSchool faculty, both of whom are retiring at the end of the spring semester, will deliver convocation addresses. Attendees can expect rich reflections on the iSchool’s past and inspiration for graduates entering the field.
Virtual Conference Draws Record-Setting Attendance with Participants from 121 Countries
Global Participation Made for 'Fascinating Discussions'
The San José State University School of Information organized three Library 2.0 web conferences during 2020, the 10th year of the Library 2.0 Worldwide Virtual Conference series. Each of the mini-conferences focused on a specific topic addressed by experts in the information professions. The format included an opening keynote panel, concurrent crowd-sourced sessions, and a closing address. Held entirely online at no cost to participants, the 2020 conference series spanned 121 total countries with more than 5,000 registrants for each conference.
iSchool Offers First-Ever Bachelor’s Degree
BS in Information Science and Data Analytics Program Prepares Students for Careers in Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Machine Learning
The School of Information at San José State University is pleased to announce a new Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Data Analytics degree program that prepares undergraduate students for one of the fastest-growing occupation areas in the United States, according to Hanover Research.
Free Web Conference Explores ‘Sustainability in Libraries’
Call for Proposals and Registration Open
The third and final Library 2.0 mini-conference for 2020 will be held online on Wednesday, October 14, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. US-Pacific Time. This free, online and participatory conference, sponsored by the School of Information at San José State University, is an excellent opportunity to showcase research, work and thinking on sustainability in libraries.
New REFORMA Student Group Connects Students and Professionals Serving Spanish-speaking and Latino Communities
REFORMA Student and Alumni Group Announces First Officers
The San José State University School of Information is pleased to announce the formation of a new student group, REFORMA SJSU iSchool Student Group, and the nomination of the group’s first officers to its executive board.
iSchool Director Transitions to New Leadership Role at SJSU
Dr. Sandra Hirsh Accepts Associate Dean Position
The San José State University School of Information announces a change in leadership effective March 16, 2020. Dr. Sandra Hirsh is transitioning from her role as director and professor at the iSchool to associate dean for academics in the SJSU College of Professional and Global Education.
“Serving as the iSchool director over the last 10 years has been the highlight of my career! I am very proud of what we have accomplished during this period,” Hirsh stated.