Liebau-Nelsen, Catherine A

English

San Jose State University

Dedication Despite Difficult Times

SJSU ScholarWorks

School of Information Student Research Journal Volume 10 Issue 2 Article 1 December 2020 Dedication Despite Difficult Times Catherine A. Liebau-Nelsen San Jose State University, catherine.liebau@sjsu.edu Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/ischoolsrj  Part of the Archival Science Commons, Cataloging and Metadata Commons, Collection Development and Management Commons, Information Literacy Commons, Museum Studies Commons, Scholarly Communication Commons, and the Scholarly Publishing Commons Acknowledgements Recommended Citation Liebau-Nelsen, C. A. (2020). Dedication despite difficult times. School of Information Student Research Journal, 10(2). http://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/slissrj/vol10/iss2/1 This article is brought to you by the open access Journals at SJSU ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in School of Information Student Research Journal by an authorized administrator of SJSU ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact scholarworks@sjsu.edu. Dedication Despite Difficult Times Acknowledgements About Author Catherine Liebau-Nelsen is a library and information science graduate student at San Jose State University School of Information and the editor-in-chief of the Student Research Journal. After earning her B.A. from Fresno State University in English, she decided (after a mere week of researching options) to explore the field of library science - a decision inspired greatly by her love of literature. This editorial is available in School of Information Student Research Journal: https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/ischoolsrj/vol10/iss2/1 Dedication Despite Difficult Times The flexibility and dedication of all editors and authors who worked on the pieces in this issue during these challenging times deserve praise and applause beyond what I can even begin to offer. In September of 2020, Dr. Linda Main, Interim Director of San Jose State University School of Information, stated: “I continue to feel inspired by the resiliency of our students, alumni, faculty and staff members. Many obstacles have crowded our path over the last several months, but we push forward” (Main, L., personal communication, September 3, 2020). As the current editor-in-chief of the Student Research Journal (SRJ), I am honored to work with such motivated editors and authors who epitomize Dr. Main’s message. Though there have been challenges, the effort devoted by these individuals who helped create this issue exemplifies the resiliency of SJSU School of Information students, alumni, staff, and faculty. Contributing a project report on the importance of the diversity-driven action plans, San Jose State University faculty and staff members Dr. Kristen Rebmann, Parinaz Zartoshty, Kimberly Green, Erin Kelly-Weber, Dr. Vidalino Raatior, and Lori Vonderach discuss their two-month, multi-faceted study of climate assessment activities that work to develop equity-and-inclusivity supportive action plans. Fascinating and informative, the report delves into the development of effective action plans which meet the aforementioned goals and offers detailed insight into the steps taken by SJSU researchers who undertook the project. The SRJ’s own editor, Brianna Limas, writes on the information needs of undergraduate students. Detailing the information seeking behaviors of a community which their research depicts being typically comprised of novice researchers, Limas discusses the current literature on the topic and joins the discourse by highlighting the effective use of social networking sites and emerging technologies while subtly recommending these to the attention of academic libraries to better serve undergraduate students’ needs. SJSU School of Information alum Carrie E. Kitzmiller critically reviews Public Library Collections in the Balance: Censorship, Inclusivity, and Truth by Jennifer Downey and recommends the book to public librarians and library science students, in particular. Through a thorough review, Kitzmiller analyzes the book in sections while noting relevant topics addressed, such as public libraries meeting the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and the controversial stance on filtering or restricting information for youth. In this former SRJ editor and SJSU alum’s book review, Terry Schiavone summarizes and evaluates the content of Laura A. Millar’s A Matter of Facts: The Value of Evidence in an Information Age, comparing the findings to those of other relevant works while recommending sources for further research. In the current political, social, and economic climate, Schiavone’s concise analysis of Millar’s message on digital information holds importance for all readers. Former SRJ editor and SJSU alum Claire C. Goldstein offers an evidence summary of a study which investigated the information needs of senior rural public library users. Intriguing and contradictory to what a researcher may expect, Goldstein summarizes the study and how it was conducted while analyzing the findings and highlighting the most interesting and relevant points.  This issue, the 20th of the SRJ, showcases just a fraction of the talent, intellect, and passion that SJSU School of Information students and alumni have to offer. The editorial team alumni-heavy issue was not planned but a happy coincidence. For this, I have all previous editors-in-chief to thank for their choices in editors. Even after leaving their roles as editors or graduating, SJSU School of Information alumni remain dedicated and motivated by their passion and work toward excellence. 1Liebau-Nelsen: Dedication Despite Difficult TimesPublished by SJSU ScholarWorks, 2020The SRJ editorial team, including managing editor Sarah Wilson and myself, looks forward to reviewing the outstanding manuscripts which driven graduate students from all over the world continue to submit. The Student Research Journal will celebrate its 10th anniversary in Spring, so please join us for the publication of the next issue. Thank you.  Acknowledgements  Although I could continue endlessly on the efforts, support, and extraordinary work of my fellow SRJ editors, I will limit my praises for the sake of our readers’ time and page length. Firstly, thank you to Sarah Wilson for being the most dedicated, analytical, passionate, and brilliant managing editor that I could imagine. Her strong work ethic and keen eye inspire me daily to improve my own skills so that we can publish the best SRJ issues possible during our year together. Wilson spent countless hours as an extra set of eyes on this final publication. Without her, this issue would not have been possible.  The editorial team – Brianna Limas, Dorianne Shaffer, Justin Sana, Kristen Jacobson, Marian Griffin, and Shelly Sarfati – consistently offered quality reviews of submissions that both Wilson and I are proud of. In spite of full work schedules, coursework, family obligations, etc., each and every editor consistently impressed us with their work. The skills and commitment of SRJ content and copy editors truly demonstrate the abilities of SJSU School of Information students; they serve as excellent representations of the best and brightest our school has to offer (though I will admit that I am incredibly biased when it comes to this phenomenal team)!  If it were not for Dr. Kristen Rebmann reaching out to offer her team’s research for the invited contribution, the 20th issue of the journal would be missing a faculty contribution. I am both so grateful and thrilled to include their work in the SRJ.  Finally, I must thank Dr. Anthony Bernier for his guidance and encouragement throughout my first semester as the editor-in-chief of the SRJ. His passion for the journal, knowledge of the profession, and willingness to share information and advice benefit and inspire not only me, but the whole editorial team, as well. We are lucky to have such an enthusiastic faculty advisor. 2School of Information Student Research Journal, Vol. 10, Iss. 2 [2020], Art. 1https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/ischoolsrj/vol10/iss2/1

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Dedication Despite Difficult Times

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