Letter from the Editors: Spring 2010

As students, we are in a unique position to view librarianship and its reach into areas not traditionally associated with librarianship or information management. Many of us come from other professional areas, or work in non-library jobs while pursuing our master's degrees. The experience we gain from other areas informs our work in library and information science by giving us broader insights into search habits and can also shape our expertise and information niches.

Several articles in this issue address how experiences outside of library school inform our work as students and continue to enrich our journey as professionals. From Kathy Elliot’s previous career helping her win a scholarship, to finding reference experience in an unlikely place like Marissa Martin, students are finding that information science reaches farther than might be expected.

It has been our pleasure to work with our student contributors over the past few months and we continue to be impressed with our classmates and their accomplishments. From putting together tours to organizing innovative programming for internships, SJSU-SLIS students are active in the field before, during, and after their education. We would like to thank our contributors for allowing a window into their lives through their writing about their experiences.

I (Jane) am looking forward to co-editing again next semester with Kimberly Galloway, our newly elected co-editor. I would like to thank my current co-editor, Tiffany Mair, for a great introductory semester to the Call Number.

As I (Tiffany), pass the baton and editing duties on to Jane and Kimberly to concentrate on my last semester at SJSU-SLIS and my e-portfolio, I would like to encourage students to consider how our holistic experiences contribute to our skills and service in librarianship and information management fields. We are all unique individuals who bring a diversity of experience and perspective to the profession. Upon returning from ALA 2010 in Washington DC, the importance of our energy, enthusiasm, and willingness to get involved and bring our entire selves to librarianship has never been more clear to me. Believe in your contributions, show up, and serve in whatever ways you are called.

Jane Gilvin & Tiffany Mair