Letter from the Editors: Fall 09 Issue

Those of us in library school believe that libraries continue to maintain their importance in society. We value them as repositories, museums, monuments, sacred spaces, and gathering centers. If you think about it, the potential of libraries is limitless.

Special libraries offer unpredictability and unique opportunities for library graduates who may not want to serve in public or academic settings. As an intern at a local transportation planning agency in the library and data center, I (Tiffany) have been able to learn more about Sacramento local government, urban planning, land use, and public transportation in northern California. Special libraries, and organizations that contain special libraries and collections, offer alternatives to graduates interested in taking a slightly less traditional library career path.

Of course, not all of us will end up working in libraries. Information science, defined by ODLIS as “…the systematic study and analysis of the sources, development, collection, organization, dissemination, evaluation, use, and management of information in all its forms…”, is a growing specialty. Our skills in these areas give SJSU-SLIS graduates transferable value to a variety of industries. As I (Robyn) take on the job search for professional librarian positions, I am finding that a number of jobs incorporate library science principles into their daily routines. I have interviewed for the following positions because of my LIS background: grant writer, community research specialist, thesaurus editor, and, of course, library substitute. Thinking outside of the box to incorporate the "information science" portion of our skills can only enrich any profession we enter.

For the Fall 2009 semester issue of The Call Number, we invited students to tell us about their experiences with special libraries, information science, and as usual, we bring you information about LISSTEN events and activities. Please submit comments to authors and be a part of the conversation.

Enjoy!
Robyn Gleasner & Tiffany Mair