Dear DLIS Community,
Hope your semester is going well and that you are finding some time to view the beautiful fall foliage. I was driving with my thirteen-year old, Bryce, through Connecticut and into Massachusetts two weekends ago and it was awesome. I’d point out some particularly attractive view to Bryce and he’d respond mechanically with what was happening in the computer game he was playing. Yeah, I was thirteen once.
Let me begin by updating you on a few recent changes. The dual degree MA Public History / MS LIS was approved in June. Students enrolled in the 57 credit dual degree program complete both degrees in three years and save nine credits over completing the degrees separately. In addition, we are in the final stages of the approval process for the online Certificate in Management for Information Professionals. This certificate was encouraged by the DLIS Advisory Board for mid-career professionals seeking to advance in management. The courses are also available to current students and the first new course in this program is being offered next term, Marketing and Advocacy for Information Professionals.
You heard me mention the importance of getting involved in the American Library Association (ALA) and you state library association at the student orientations. On a related note, the DLIS faculty voted last Spring to exhibit at the ALA Annual Conference in June and the New York Library Association Conference in November and reimburse students up to $500 in travel expenses who serve at the exhibit booth. Michael Crossfox and two students, Sara Alcorn and Maddy Vericker, represented DLIS at ALA Annual in Orlando Florida in June 2016. At NYLA this November, Michael Crossfox will be leading the team consisting of Michael Bartolomeo, Megan Smead, and Maddy Vericker.
I would like to congratulate Melissa Aaronberg, Sara Alcorn, Pam Griffin-Hansen, and Maddy Vericker for having poster or papers accepted at professional conferences. St. John’s College will reimburse graduate students up to $500 in travel expenses for such conference presentations. So wherever you reside, please consider submitting a proposal for the next state library association’s annual conference. Actually, for Maddy this was her second presentation. Maddy’s first presentation was at SUNYLA last June.
Finally, it’s advisement and registration season. I already mentioned one new course that’s being offered next term, Marketing and Advocacy for Information Professionals. In addition, we have a new Public History offering, History of the Visual Media. Course descriptions for both are on the blog http://sjudlis.com . Email your faculty advisors for appointments and feel free to contact me vorbachj@stjohns.edu if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Dr. Vorbach
DLIS Director