Joining the California Library Association (CLA) Board as the first elected student representative is MLIS student Vaile Fujikawa. 

“I cannot wait to take office at CLA next month and to represent all California LIS students! I am really looking forward to working with the new board and helping to shape a bright and successful future for all California libraries,” said Fujikawa.

Fujikawa is passionate about the survival of California libraries and librarians and believes her combined experiences as a graduate student at the SJSU School of Library and Information Science and as an on-call library assistant at the Napa County Library will serve her well in her new role. “As someone who has been studying LIS for the past three years, I care deeply about our readiness for the future and especially our place in the work force now and after we graduate.”

It was an email from her LIBR 265 instructor Beth Wrenn-Estes that sparked the idea for Fujikawa to run for the student representative position on the CLA Board. Fujikawa said, “I was pretty strapped for time when I had to put my application packet together, but I managed to get it in just under the wire. I am much obliged to Carol Simmons and Monica Schultz for their patience.”

Fujikawa ran against two other graduate students enrolled in library and information science programs. “Now that elections are over, and I actually won, I am even more excited,” Fujikawa said enthusiastically. She will take office at the CLA membership breakfast on November 4, 2012, during the annual California Library Association Conference in San José, California.

Fujikawa is a current student in the fully online and ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science program at the San José State University School of Library and Information Science. Previously, she was enrolled in the Diablo Valley College library and information services program.