The Newsletter of the Association of Library and Information Science Students


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[Formerly the Sojourner]
May/June 1997


Contents

Announcements

Due to only one person sending Your Editor any book reviews (even Your Editor didn't get around to writing hers), the Summer Reading issue is postponed until Fall.
Yet Another Report from the ALISS President
Ken Thompson

Renovation/Building Change:

Just in case you have been hiding under a rock and haven't heard, GSLIS is NOT moving to Bagley next year. We're staying in Suzzallo, for another year or until they find a big chunk of money. This is generally regarded as good news, unless there is an earthquake. Then we are all *#@!ed.

Another Acting Director:

Dr. Bassett is stepping down as Acting Director of GSLIS effective the end of June. Another Acting Director is being sought out by the Dean of the Graduate School to hold us over until the new Permanent Director is found (see story elsewhere this issue) ... which could be as little as 6 months.

Degree Name Change:

Well, it actually happened: we managed to get the name of the degree awarded to GSLIS graduates changed to Masters of Library and Information Science (it was Master of Librarianship). Those of you graduating this quarter have a choice of what your degree will say...the rest of us will get MLIS's. Many thanks to Zoe Holbrooks for lighting a fire under everyone's butt to make this happen, and special thanks to Deans Johnson and Landolt for pushing this throught the proper committees with lightning speed.

Re-Accreditation:

An ad hoc committee of the faculty has been formed to deal with the reaccreditation process (the actual reaccreditation team visit will be in Spring of 1999). A number of subcommittees will forming to look at pertinent issues to the future of GSLIS, and students will be needed. Profs Doll and Carlyle are heading this committee.

Visiting Faculty:

As of this writing, we are in the final stages of hiring two one-year visiting faculty positions for next year. Keep reading that newsgroup over the summer -- we'll let you know more when we know more!

Lab Manager:

The first round of looking for a new full time lab manager has failed to yield the desired candidate. So it appears we will be entering Summer quarter sans Manager. Know anyone who is qualified? Point them at Judith... [BTW, many thanks to John Begley for all his work and hours put into upgrading the lab into the 90's. It won't be the same there without you.]

Your Chance for Fame (or perhaps infamy...):

Take my job, please! Going to be hanging out at the UW for at least a year from next fall? Consider a glamourous ALISS officership. Elections will be held in the Fall.

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GSLIS Search for New Director
Meg Rheingold

This May, the UW GSLIS initiated a nationwide search for a new director. The GSLIS Director Search Committee will begin reviewing applications on August 1 and will continue until the position is filled. As student representative to the Committee, I welcome input from fellow students about what characteristics the ideal candidate should have. My role on the committee is to represent your views, and I would love to have them! I can be contacted via email at megrhein@u.washington.edu.

The GSLIS Director Search Committee consists of Elizabeth Feetham (Graduate School), Betty Bengtson (University Libraries), Sherrilynne Fuller (School of Medicine), Christopher Hedrick (Microsoft), Ed Lazowska (Computer Science and Engineering), Jerold Nelson (GSLIS), and Meg Rheingold (student).

The job announcement, sent out the week of May 27, reads:


UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
DIRECTOR, GRADUATE SCHOOL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

The University of Washington, Seattle, seeks an energetic and creative Director who can provide transformative leadership for its Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Unique opportunities are provided by several faculty vacancies; partnerships with strong UW entities such as the Libraries, the Office of Computing and Communications, and various academic departments; proximity to the nation's most vibrant information technology industry; a key regional role in library and information science; and strong support from the institution for reshaping the School.

The successful candidate must understand the changing role of librarians and libraries in society, and the changing nature of information management and use. He or she should be willing to think flexibly and creatively about these changes and possess the ability to describe and pursue a vision and chart a path for transforming the curriculum and the School to a position of national prominence in these areas. A Ph.D. in an appropriate area and research and teaching accomplishments appropriate to appointment at the full professor level are also required. Candidates must demonstrate a record of establishing cooperative relationships with campus departments and with industry, libraries, and other information organizations beyond the campus; a successful record of fund raising; a strong commitment to working with students; and a proven ability to lead a diverse group of faculty.

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Send applications and nominations, detailed curriculum vitae and names of three references to:

Associate Dean Elizabeth L. Feetham
Chair, GSLIS Director Search Committee
The Graduate School/Room 200 Gerberding Hall
Box 351240
Seattle, WA 98195-1240

Applications will be reviewed beginning August 1, 1997, and continue until the position is filled.

The University of Washington is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

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ASIS Notes and Other Useful Items
Zoe Holbrooks

Congratulations to everyone who's successfully navigated the labyrinth and is graduating! Good luck in the Real World and don't forget to mentor -- and keep in touch!

And welcome to everyone who's just joining the fun. There's a lot to do, see and experience outside Suzzallo, so prepare yourself!

This summer, ASIS will be offering several skills workshops (things like useful tips on using the Pine email system, HTML, etc). We'll also be working with other student groups to sponsor social events like TGIFs, excursions around town, etc.

The big news for the summer is conferences. SLA starts at the end of this week. NECC 97, the annual National Educational Computing Conference (K-20), arrives in town at the end of the month. Look in the GSLIS office for information on both these exciting opportunities. The Pacific Northwest Chapter of ASIS will be holding its annual conference in September (19-20, the weekend before Fall Quarter starts). There will be some great presentations at all these conferences, as well as the chance to meet and talk to folks from all over the country. For graduates, conferences are potent job-finding tools. For students, conferences provide many exciting "windows" into professional domains and can have profound impacts on interests, academic focus, and long-range plans. All these conferences will need cheap labor and will exchange some/all of the associated registration (etc.) costs for hours worked. If interested, keep an eye on the newsgroup (uwash.gslis) for more information.

If you're going to be taking classes this summer, look beyond the GSLIS offerings. Summer quarter is unique at the UW for guest instructors, eclectic scheduling, and small class sizes. Among the gems being offered this summer:

(Bothell Campus):  	The Automated Patient Record (CSS 490B)
			Hardware Architecture & Op Sys (CSS 422)

(Main Campus):		Qualitative Methods in Policy Research
				(PB AF 599)
			Contracting Out Public Services
				(PB AF 598)
			Law & Literature (Law 477 non-majors only)
			Design & Authoring of Multimedia for 
			   Instructional Programs (EDC&I 496)
			Literacy Instruction in Multicultural
			   Settings (EDC&I 505)
			Virtual Relationships (SP CMU 482)
			Stress Management (Psych 490)
			History of Washington & Pacific NW (HSTAA 432)
			History of Info Technologies (CMU 400)
			Non-Profit Planning & Development at the 
			   Grassroots Level (URBDP 498)
			Intro to Geographic Info Systems (URBDP 498)

Have a great summer!

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GPSS Update
Jon McConnel and Britt Fagerheim, GPSS Senators

We had quite an active month, with two general meetings. At the first we:

  • passed a resolution urging the Services and Activities Fee Committee (SAFC) to fund design and implementation of an on-campus child care facility for student use since the SAFC is considering funding a feasibility study for improved IMA facilities.

  • passed a resolution asking the SAFC committee to go with the plan for expanding the current IMA building rather than constructing a whole new one.

  • passed resolutions supporting WashPIRG and Washington Student Lobby (WSL) continuation initiatives on the ASUW ballot. According to their charters, these two student organizations must ask the student body if they still want the organizations on campus. They are also asking continued permission to allow students to join via the STAR system. GPSS supports these organizations' continued existence on campus, and their use of STAR. Both of these resolutions passed in the ASUW elections.

  • passed a resolution expressing reserved support for the allocation process of the Student Technology Fee Committee (after a bit of debate and numerous amendments). Some Senators are concerned the fee is too high and is not doing anything for them and their departments, while the majority are taking a wait-and-see attitude. The only clear thing is that there is some apprehension about the Tech Fee.

  • passed a budget for next year, allocating our SAF funding and some of our reserves.

And it only took us 2 hours!

At the second we elected officers for the 1997-1998 school year.

President: Tina Kotek
Vice-President: Rebecca Burtchaell
Treasurer: Jeremy Eknoian

The Secretary position is currently up for grabs again as the winner of the regular ballot has stepped down.

ASUW elections were this month, resulting in the most diverse Board of Control ever. The Board of Regents also approved allowing same-sex registered domestic partners to live in University family housing. We've come a long way, folks....

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Announcements


End of Quarter Barbecue - Family Fun for All!

When: Saturday, June 7th, 2pm - ??

Where: Golden Gardens Park near Ballard, just North of Shilshole Marina (Directions below). Look for the balloons on Shelter #2.

Who: Library School students, faculty, staff, and their friends and families

What: Bring your own entree (BYO beef?) to have BBQ'ed on our grill. Snacks (chips, watermelon, etc.) and drinks provided (no alcohol allowed). Volleyball, frisbee, general socializing and hopefully sun. Also, there will be a PINATA! full of candy to bust, and a group picture will be taken.

We have a shelter and picnic tables reserved, and are hoping for sun. We're working on a contingency plan in case of rain, so stay tuned.

Put it on your calendars now--you'll need a study break, so why not bring the whole crew down to the beach to relax and frolic on the sand?

Questions? reply to jonmc@u or chopkins@u.

See you there!

DIRECTIONS: From I-5 take the N.E. 85th Street exit and head west toward Puget Sound. Turn right onto 32nd Ave. N.W. and stay on it as it turns into Golden Gardens Dr. and winds downhill. There's a parking lot at the bottom of the hill to your right.

Alternately, get yourself to Ballard and take Market St. west to the water. It turns into N.W. 54th St., and then Seaview Ave. as it goes past Shilshole Bay Marina. Cross under the train tracks and park in the lot at the bottom of the hill. There's also more parking further up the hill.

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GSLIS Reunion at ALA Conference

Get together with alumni and faculty for a relaxing reception for all UW GSLIS graduates in the recently renovated Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial branch of the San Francisco Public Library. Find out the latest information about the search for a new GSLIS director, and what your classmates have been doing since graduation. Food and beverages (wine, beer and soft drinks) will be served.

Sunday, June 29
6-8 pm
Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Library
3555 16th Street (between Market and Sanchez streets)
San Francisco

Tickets: $15 UW GSLIS AA members and UW GSLIS faculty
$12 UW GSLIS students
$18 non-members and guests

Tickets may be purchased from the Alumni Association by calling Lisa Border at (206) 543-0540 or 1-800 298-2586 or by email (lborder@u.washington.edu)

Additional information is available on the UW GSLIS AA home page: http://weber.u.washington.edu/~gslis/alum

Please don't call the Eureka Valley library if you have questions about this event but feel free to contact me.

Liz Babbitt, President, UW GSLIS AA
ebabbitt@kcls.org
(425) 644-9473 home; (425) 450-1783 office

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Edited by Kathleen E. Bennett (last updated 6/2/97)
Border background from Bordertown