A little about me, I’m in my third semester in the MLIS program at SJSU’s iSchool. I am located in the Bay Area of California. My background is in design, I have a BFA in Graphic Design, a UX/UI Certificate, and six years of experience as a Graphic Designer. Now, I’m enthusiastically pursuing a career in Librarianship.
While volunteering on the Library Advisory Board and Outreach Committee at my local library, I saw the library’s impact on my community, which inspired me to pivot my career.
I work at the Sonoma County Library Headquarters as an Administrative Specialist where I get to utilize my design skills. I’m on a team lead by the Library Director and while also working with the Fund Development team. I am learning a lot working at the library. I’m finding that my work informs my school and my school informs my work.
I chose this course because I enjoyed the Info 200-Information Communities course which referenced this course several times and wanted to learn more. I’m really interested in the application of design thinking in the library space where we put the users (patrons) first. I am thinking that this course might explore that if not parallel ideas. Excited to meet and work with other students in this course!
I haven’t come across many people in the Sonoma area in this program surprisingly. I graduated from SVHS in 2004 and have only been back in the area once.
Hi Jacque, I haven’t come across too many people in this area either. Ahh I know SVHS, I live in Petaluma. I went to Petaluma High though, nice to meet you!
Hi Ali,
I grew up going to the Sonoma County Library in my little hometown of Rohnert Park! I enjoyed reading your journey to librarianship and wish you the best of luck as you move through the MLIS program!
-Joy
Hi Joy, The Sonoma County Library HQ is in Rohnert Park, so I’ve been working in that town for about a year now. I’ve found some great food there in your hometown! Nice to meet you 🙂
Hi Ali,
Nice to ‘meet’ you!
What you said about applying design thinking in library spaces caught my eye! Last summer, I took Info 281, Building a Critical Culture, with Prof. Ferretti. In the class, one of the modules dealt with a reading I found eye-opening … it was basically about how spatial arrangement in libraries can lead to inequity; I had never considered it. If you’re interested in it, here’s a permalink to the article: https://csu-sjsu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CALS_SJO/1nj5q0c/cdi_unpaywall_primary_10_1353_lib_2015_0048 … Pages 258-261 of the PDF were most interesting to me … the authors examined how space can influence noise levels, interaction expectations and allowances, peace of mind or even sense of safety, much less productivity.
Cheers!
Hi Don, there are so many interesting classes offered here at the ischool, I haven’t heard of that class before. What you’re explaining sounds like library UX (user experience) to me. It’s important to consider all aspects of the library space including the physical space (how you interact with it) to make patrons feel safe and welcome. Thank you for sending the link to that article! It sounds right up my alley, pun intended*
@ali0 Thanks for sharing your background! You could absolutely use design thinking as a key element of your roadmap assignment or of your inspiration report. You could also explore ideas related to design thinking in libraries via your blog, etc.. I think this would be super interesting.
Welcome to #hyperlib!