Starting in the fall 2023 semester, the San José State University School of Information will have a new coordinator at the helm of its California Teacher Librarian Services Credential program. Jonathan Hunt has accepted the position most recently held by Dr. Mary Ann Harlan.

The California Teacher Librarian Services Credential program prepares students for the next step in their teaching career as a school librarian. Hunt says of his new post, “San José State has always had an excellent reputation for school librarianship, so I am humbled and honored to take the reins and build upon the excellent foundation laid by Mary Ann Harlan, David Loertscher, Blanche Woolls, and others.”

Dr. Anthony Chow, director of the SJSU School of Information, commented on Hunt’s new position as coordinator and future plans for the program: “Moving forward, under Jonathan’s leadership, our vision is for the SJSU iSchool program to be one of the top in the nation, like it is for the general MLIS, and to help lead the fight for school libraries taking place in California and across the country.”

Hunt is currently the coordinator of library media services at the San Diego County Office of Education where he supports 42 local school districts in their efforts to improve school library programs and services. He contributes to Horn Book Magazine and School Library Journal and has judged numerous book awards, including the Newbery Medal, the Caldecott Medal, the Printz Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards.

Hunt has previously taught courses at the iSchool including Materials for Tweens. In September 2022, he was a speaker for the iSchool’s School Library Summit Symposium. He will be re-joining the faculty as a part-time instructor, in addition to his duties as program coordinator. Hunt says he is “excited to return to teaching classes once again.”

The California Teacher Librarian Services Credential program is a second credential program for students residing in California, who must have a California Clear Professional Teaching Credential before applying for the California Teacher Librarian Services Credential. The program is embedded in the iSchool’s Master of Library and Information Science program, allowing students the option to take a few additional courses and earn their American Library Association-accredited master’s degree, as well as apply for the teaching credential.