NYPL Day at Pratt

Sponsored by Pratt SILSSA

Hey all you School of Information students!*

Monday, October 19th sees the start of Open Access Week!  From their website:

Open Access (OA) has the potential to maximize research investments, increase the exposure and use of published research, facilitate the ability to conduct research across available literature, and enhance the overall advancement of scholarship. Research funding agencies, academic institutions, researchers and scientists, teachers, students, and members of the general public are supporting a move towards Open Access in increasing numbers every year. Open Access Week is a key opportunity for all members of the community to take action to keep this momentum moving forward.

If you want to participate and learn more, join us for our Librarians@Pratt Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon on Saturday, October 24th in Room 609.  Come by any time from 1 PM-6PM.  There will be a new editor workshop from 1PM-2PM and open editing from 2PM-6PM.  We will be discussing the importance of Wikipdedia as a tool for increasing Open Access awareness and use, as well as the value of Wikipedia to libraries, librarians and other information professionals.  Snacks are on us!  You can RSVP here.

Also, if you’re interested in a library position with NYPL, don’t forget to sign up for NYPL Library Day, sponsored by Pratt SILSSA!  NYPL Human Resources will be on the Manhattan campus, 6th floor on Thursday, October 22nd to interview for librarian positions from 2 PM-7PM.  Email us at silssa.pratt@gmail.com by Wednesday, October 21st at 8 PM to reserve your spot.  Walk-ins are welcome as well.

Hope to see everyone out and about for Open Access Week!

*P.S. Just a quick reminder that if you have any thoughts or questions about the recent decision to rename the School of Information and Library Science to the School of Information, SILSSA has set up a Google form you can reach out to us on.  Read more about this decision on our last post by SILSSA President, Sarah Hackney.

Hello Students, Alumni and Prospective Students,

By now, I’m sure you’re aware that Pratt SILS is now the Pratt School of Information. If you need to get caught up, you can read Dean Tula Giannini’s statement, and Provost Kirk Pillow’s announcement.

I wanted to take a moment and clarify SILSSA’s position within this change, and reach out to any of you who want to discuss what this change means for you, for the school, and for the future.

To start, SILSSA remains the student association for all students enrolled at the School of Information, as well as the official Student Chapter of the ALA for Pratt. We intend to retain the name and acronym SILSSA. This is the name that we are known by, both within Pratt and in the world at large, and because we continue to be officially associated with the ALA, we want to continue to represent libraries and library science within our name.  As the School of Information expands, there may come a day when we need to reevaluate the scope and/or name of our group, but for now, we remain SILSSA.

Secondly, I know that a lot of people have questions about what the name change means for the school, for their degree, and for ALA accreditation. As per the Dean, the School of Information will continue to offer the MSLIS degree, and that degree will continue to be accredited by the American Library Association.

Currently, the School of Information offers two Master’s degrees: the MSLIS and MS in Museums and Digital Culture, as well as the dual-degree programs. There are plans to offer other degrees in the future, and it is my understanding that this planned expansion is what predicated the change of name.

Becoming the School of Information is a change that was made behind closed doors. Many students and alumni did not know that this was being considered, and our input was not sought. It is also a change that has caught many people off guard, considering the quick turnaround time between the announcement (Thursday, October 1) and the official change itself (Monday, October 5).

I have spoken to a number of student and alumni who have concerns not only about the removal of “Library Science” from our name, but also about the manner in which this decision was made and announced to our community. SILSSA would like to give you an opportunity to discuss these changes, our position within the world of LIS education, and the future of the field.

We are in the early stages of planning a town hall-style event where students, alumni and other concerned parties can come together to discuss these issues, so keep an eye out for further announcements. If you are interested in participating or helping to plan this event, please get in touch with us.

If you have questions or comments, whether for SILSSA, the School of Information administration, faculty or the Dean, you can email us at silssa.pratt@gmail.com, or me directly at shackney@pratt.edu. Or, if you would like to remain anonymous, you can leave a comment though the google form we’ve set up for this purpose.

I look forward to hearing from you, and to continuing the dialog around this topic,

Sarah Hackney, SILSSA President

The American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits 2016

Early bird registration starts today and runs until November 11, 2015.

This years’ conference will be held in Boston. MA from January 8-12, 2016.

Since Boston is relatively close (a short trip by bus or train or car), attending would be easy.  It will also give you many opportunities… to meet other students and professionals, to network, to obtain resources, to find out what’s going on in the field.  If you are looking for a job, bring your resume and start interviewing.

For more information about ALA 2016 Midwinter, go to their website http://2016.alamidwinter.org/.

Look for further info from Pratt SILSSA on ALA Midwinter and other  ALA opportunities.