LIS Online Career Fair

Wednesday January 25, 2011

Sponsored by TAP Information Services and the

School of Library and Information Science, San Jose State University

10:00 A.M. – 10:50 A.M. Central

New Career Paths for Information Professionals – Dr. Sandra Hirsh

What do usability researchers, virtual services managers, and information architects have in common? They all have Masters degrees in Library and Information Science. There are many career opportunities for today’s information professional – both inside libraries and in other job settings. In this program, we will explore these varied career opportunities, along with how to find and pursue these opportunities.

11:00 A.M. – 11:50 A.M. Central (Dual Tracks)

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Opportunities for Information Professionals Beyond Libraries – Doug McDavid

Doug McDavid will speak about opportunities to capitalize on library-oriented skills, thought processes and mindsets in areas beyond libraries. He will discuss his own experiences, starting with his MLS from San Jose State University and twelve years service to the Palo Alto City Library. His career as a consultant who ­­­melds business information needs and information technology has led him through many experiences in various industries and public sector enterprises. He will attempt to summarize the general nature of the opportunity that is building in a world of ubiquitous computing and information overload.

Work, Learn, Live (Not Always in that Order): My Experience as a Grad Student – Genna Buhr

Thinking of going back to school to get your Master's? Want to learn the skinny on what it's like to learn completely online and get a few pointers from someone who's been there? In this informal presentation, Genna Buhr will discuss her (ongoing) grad school experience, as well as how it has related to her other "lives" as a full-time employee and new mom. Don't be shy! Bring all of your questions about library school, distance learning, and work/school/life balance, as there will be plenty of time for open and honest Q&A.

12:30 – 1:20 P.M. Central (Dual Tracks)

Working as a School Librarian in the 21st Century – Mary Ann Harlan

What does it mean to be a school librarian in the 21st century? This talk will cover the roles of a school librarian, the exciting evolution of the school library in today’s information rich world. It will also address the challenges and opportunities of the field – job outlook, finding a role in current education policy and reform and providing traditional services with a newer lens.

Diverse Careers in Academic Libraries – Barbara Galik

Barbara will speak about her diverse career in academic librarianship and how that has influenced her process for reviewing resumes and job applications. She will discuss what she looks for both in an application and in the interview.

1:30 – 2:20 P.M. Central

Entering and Navigating the Changing World of Librarianship – Joe Murphy

Tips and insight about becoming a modern librarian. Joe Murphy shares advice on thriving in an evolving information industry, and managing your career for continued success. It’s a tough world out there for new librarians: library jobs are scarce, technology changes can be overwhelming, and libraries are balancing traditional needs with emerging trends. This session will prepare LIS professionals for success in today’s evolving information environment.

3:00 – 3:50 P.M. Central

So You Want to Work in a Public Library? – Rose Chenoweth

Public libraries serve everyone--all age groups, all walks of life, all ethnic groups, and the rich as well as the poor. If you love people, change, information, reading, and technology, this is the library for you. Find out what's in, what's out, and what's coming as well as who the public library wants to hire.

4:00 – 4:50 P.M. Central

Future Ready: Emerging Careers in Special Libraries – Cindy Hill

Is there a future in corporate, government, non-profit and other library /information services environments? Curious about skills and competencies that are essential in these work environments? What role can emerging technologies like social media have in your job? Using SLA President-elect Cindy Romaine’s theme of “Future Ready” Cindy Hill will frame a conversation around the potential of an ever-changing and dynamic career in the new work place.

  Upcoming Events

•  Wed. Feb. 16: Geo-Based Social Networks: FourSquare, Gowalla, MyTown, and more
•  Wed. March 16: QR Codes and Augmented Reality
•  Wed. April 20: Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, and more
•  Wed. May 11: Library Services for Older Adults
• 
  

For more information, contact Tom Peters at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Lori Bell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Text and Photos by DULCIE MILLS

Machinima by CLARK ABISMO

The Texas Library Association in Second Life is currently sponsoring an exhibit called Virtual Texas. According to Valibrarian Gregg, Texas Librarian, the idea for the exhibit came about after she met Jacon Cortes, co-owner of the Antiquity Texas and Antiquity Tejas sims, at an ISTE (International Society of Technology in Education) conference that had been held both in San Antonio, Texas, and in Second Life.  “The Texas Library Association built an exhibit using his (Cortes’) Alamo façade as a backdrop,” Gregg said.  The exhibit also includes SL universities that are in Texas, a few virtual books, and other historical and period items.

The Virtual Texas exhibit will run through April on Info Island and will then be featured at the Texas Library Convention in Austin.  Gregg, along with Cortes, is conducting tours of the exhibit as well as the Antiquity Texas sim itself.  The tours run for two hours and conclude with fireworks and dancing.  There have been two tours and possibly a third will be given in April before the exhibit is taken down.

Antiquity Texas is a role-playing sim that is one of around 40 sims that are part of the Kingdom of Antiquity community of Victorian role-play sims, each of which is privately funded. Some other sims in this group include Antiquity Tejas, Antiquity London, Antiquity France, Antiquity New Europe, Antiquity Harbor, and Antiquity Prairie. Western, Victorian, or period dress is recommended for visitors to Antiquity Texas, and free outfits for men and women are available at the landing point where several tours around the sim originate, including an audio walking tour, horse-drawn buggy tour, and hot air balloon ride.

Describing how Antiquity Texas came about, Cortes explained that he, his rl brother, Tocho Cortes, and a business partner, Pixapao Xeno, had not originally planned on creating a historical sim.  They initially wanted to expand their business, Los Texanos Beaux Arts, an ornate shop selling jewelry and other items that is the main shop currently on Antiquity.  “When it came time to decide for a building to place our new shops in, we thought about what kind of building we wanted and where it would be located,” Cortes said.  “We thought about different buildings, different themes, that would add to designs before we decided on the Texas Capitol Building.  My brother and I, both being from Texas and very proud of our state and its history, convinced our partner on the Capitol.  Pixapao, in turn, had a recommendation for a builder and we set off to recreate the Capitol.  Once we had the Capitol built, I placed a rough Alamo next to the central plaza. Thus Antiquity Texas evolved.”

Besides the Capital and the Alamo, there are many places to see and visit on Antiquity Texas, including the Governor’s Mansion, Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loret, and the Port Isabel Lighthouse, to name a few.  Cortes described the process of recreating historical details for the buildings: “The majority of buildings were built by Master Builder Powder Pinkenba.  Powder has a fantastic eye for detail.  He used original blueprints that we found on the Library of Congress website to plan and build the buildings.  For the Capitol, my brother, mother, sister, and I drove to Austin to photograph the Capitol to use for the textures.  As for the other buildings, we tried to make them as close to possible, in our minds, as the building looked like in the early 1800's.  Using images from the Net, Powder would work to create realistic reproductions.”

“I think the reason the librarians got involved in this,” Gregg said, “is because Antiquity Texas is such a wonderful example of an immersive learning environment where one can actually enter an historical era. The TLA SL group is very appreciative of the hospitality shown by Jacon and Tocho Cortes.”  Cortes added, “If somebody in real life who could not come to the Texas Capitol building or to the Alamo could come and visit and learn about Texas history in this sort of way, I think it’s good on all different kinds of fronts. It is the goal of Antiquity Texas, and Los Texanos, our group, to continue to build on our historical foundations and be able to offer a fun community of role-play to enjoy it in.”

Slurl to Virtual Texas Exhibit: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/61/94/23

Slurl to Antiquity, Texas: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Antiquity%20Texas/153/38/22

Links for Further Information on Texas and Historical Sites:

Alamo  http://thealamo.org/main/index.php

Governor's Mansion and Texas Capitol  http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/tspb.htm

Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loret  http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=754&ResourceType=Building

Port Isabel Lighthouse  http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/port_isabel_lighthouse/