News
Endowed Scholarships Support iSchool Students, Reaffirm Dreams
San José State University School of Information awards scholarships endowed or donated by faculty members, students, alumni and friends to exceptional students enrolled in the Master of Library and Information Science or Master of Archives and Records Administration degree program. This spring, 12 continuing graduate students of the MLIS and MARA programs earned 14 scholarships totaling $13,750 to be app
Director’s Scholarship for Excellence Awarded to Five New iSchool Students
Five students who will be enrolling in the Master of Library and Information Science program at San José State University’s School of Information in fall 2020 have received the Director’s Scholarship for Excellence, totaling $7,110 in award funding; each award is valued at $1,422.
iSchool Alumna and Faculty Member Named 2020 Library Journal Movers and Shakers
The highly anticipated annual roster of Movers and Shakers in the information profession published by Library Journal is out, and two of them have ties to the San José State University School of Information. Anna Avalos, a 2007 alumna of the Master of Library and Information Science program, and Maggie Murphy, a faculty member, are among the distinguished group of award winners that has grown to nearly 1,000 since its launch in 2002.
Dr. Niloufar Sarraf Receives QUT Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award, Advancing Developments in NeuroInformation Science
Dr. Niloufar Sarraf, the 15th student to graduate from the San José State University-Queensland University of Technology Gateway PhD program, received the QUT Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award for her dissertation, “Mapping the Neural Activities and Affective Dimensions of the ISP Model: Correlates in the Search for Exploration, Formulation, and Collection Stage.” This prestigious award was given in recognition of Sarraf’s outstanding contribution and standard of excellence demonstrated in higher degree research practice.
Four Graduating Students Honored with Director’s Awards for Excellence
The San José State University School of Information proudly recognizes four graduating students from the Class of 2020 for their exceptional work with Director’s Awards for Excellence. During their grad school studies in the Master of Library and Information Science degree program they demonstrated leadership, ingenuity, compassion, and commitment to bettering our communities. Congratulations Elizabeth Borges, Amanda Cronkright, Bijan Nowroozian and Shelby Silvernell!
Crisis/Disaster Health Informatics Course Addresses Misinformation and Pandemic Preparedness
The School of Information at San José State University first offered INFO 281 Seminar in Contemporary Issues: Crisis/Disaster Health Informatics in 2012. The course, popular with students of the Master of Library and Information Science and Master of Science in Informatics programs, explores the interconnectedness of information, people and technologies in a crisis or disaster (e.g.
iSchool Graduate Sharaya Olmeda Stands Out for Exceptional Professional Promise
The School of Information at San José State University is pleased to announce the winner of the 2020 Ken Haycock Award for Exceptional Professional Promise is Sharaya Olmeda, who completed the Master of Library and Information Science program and graduated Summa Cum Laude in December 2019. This coveted recognition is awarded annually by peers and faculty of the iSchool’s Student Awards and Scholarship Committee.
iSchool Instructor Patty Wong Wins 2021–2022 ALA Presidency
San José State University School of Information instructor Patty Wong has been elected 2021–2022 president-elect of the American Library Association. As ALA president, Wong, currently director of library services/city librarian for the Santa Monica Public Library in California, will be the chief elected officer for the oldest and largest library association in the world. She will serve as president-elect for one year before moving into her role as president at the close of the 2021 ALA Annual Conference.
New Instructor to Join SJSU iSchool’s Award-Winning Faculty
The San José State University School of Information announces the addition of Darra L. Hofman, a new tenure-track faculty member that will join its diverse and award-winning faculty.
Two iSchool Faculty Members Awarded Highly Coveted Grant Funding
Professor Lili Luo and Assistant Professor Deborah Hicks of the School of Information at San José State University were recently awarded grants for their exemplary research efforts, bringing accolades to the iSchool and joining an extensive list of innovative faculty research activities.
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.
2020 Diversity Webinar Series Presents Eight Free Sessions on Diverse Topics from Diverse Speakers
The San José State University School of Information’s Diversity Committee recently launched its Diversity Webinar Series as part of its commitment to support diversity and inclusivity. The series is being organized by Assistant Professor Michele Villagran, who serves as chair of the Diversity Committee.
2020 iSchool Staff and Faculty Awards Celebrate ‘Highly Deserving’ Recipients
The San José State University School of Information recognized the exceptional contributions and instruction made by staff and faculty members at the 2020 awards reception, held on February 10, 2020 at the SJSU Student Union. Candidates were nominated by fellow iSchool staff and faculty members, and by self-nomination.
‘Wholehearted Libraries: Soft Skills for 21st Century Information Professionals,’ First Library 2.020 Mini-conference Encourages Compassion, Empathy and Finding Balance
The first Library 2.020 mini-conference, “Wholehearted Libraries: Soft Skills for 21st Century Information Professionals,” kicks off the 10th Annual Library 2.0 Worldwide Virtual Conference—the global conference series began in 2011— embracing the idea that “soft skills are heart skills.”
16th Gateway PhD Graduate Examines Social Media’s Influence in Libraries
Dr. Hongbo Zou is the 16th graduate of the Gateway PhD program, an international doctoral program offered through the San Jose State University School of Information. He celebrated the milestone by traveling to Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia to attend the graduation ceremony.
iSchool Students and Alumni Showcase Community Impact at 2019 CLA Poster Session
Poster Session Builds Presentation Skills, Confidence and Network
The San José State University School of Information sponsored its fourth community poster session featuring alumni and student presenters during the California Library Association’s annual conference, held in October 2019. A gallery of the poster presentations from the CLA session and past sessions highlights the important work iSchool alumni and students are doing in their communities.
iSchool Alumni, Student Chosen for 2020 ALA Emerging Leaders Program
Two alumni and one student from the San José State University School of Information are among the 50 people selected by the American Library Association to participate in its Emerging Leaders Program in 2020.
iSchool Awards Scholarships to 27 Students for Spring
San José State University School of Information has awarded scholarships to 27 incoming and continuing students for spring 2020, totaling $38,394, to assist them as they pursue graduate degrees. Each award is valued at $1,422.
SJSU Alumna Wins ALA’s I Love My Librarian Award for Outstanding Contributions to Public Librarianship
Congratulations to Maria Papanastassiou!
San José State University alumna Maria Papanastassiou, who completed her Master of Library and Information Science degree in 2013, is the latest SJSU Spartan to win the I Love My Librarian Award, conferred annually by the American Library Association. The Kids’ World Assistant Manager at Arlington Heights (Ill.) Memorial Library, Papanastassiou was one of 10 winners announced on December 10, 2019, which included three academic, three public, and four school librarians.
iSchool’s Student Research Journal Publishes 18th Issue: ‘Bigger and Better Than Ever’ Says Editor-In-Chief
The 18th issue of the fully student-run Student Research Journal is now available online. Featuring an invited contribution from Assistant Professor Deborah Hicks and articles written by current students and recent graduates representing three distinguished universities, the San José State University School of Information’s research publication explores a vast array of topics.
‘Champion of Libraries’ Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., to Deliver Convocation Speech at iSchool’s Virtual Graduation Celebration
Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., section head of research and library services at the Library of Congress, will deliver the convocation speech to students graduating from the San José State University School of Information. The virtual graduation celebration will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
Blockchain Explores Groundbreaking Technology Use in Libraries
Two faculty members at San José State University’s School of Information, Drs. Sandra Hirsh and Susan Alman, have published Blockchain, the newest book in a series from the American Library Association’s Center for the Future of Libraries.
Free Professional Development and Opportunities for Collaboration at Library 2.019 Free Web Conferences
15,000 Information Professionals Worldwide Register to Attend
Library professionals, employers, graduate students, and educators gathered online at three Library 2.0 web conferences during 2019. The conferences series, offered through a partnership between Dr.
MLIS Student’s Essay Wins Scholarship and Trip to Association of Research Libraries Fall Forum
Choosing between an essay or a visual submission when considering her application format for the 2019 Julia C. Blixrud Scholarship, Madelynn Dickerson decided to write an essay. Her decision proved successful in exhibiting evidence of her creative thinking and passion for research libraries. The San José State University School of Information graduate student received the $1,000 scholarship and was invited to attend the Association of Research Libraries Fall Forum, themed “Research Libraries as Catalytic Leaders in a Society in Constant Flux.”