Library Student Organizations (LSO) - An American Library Association Student Chapter
Greetings from the Library Student Organization!
As we crossed the millennial milestone, so too did the Library Student Organization enter a new era. Welcoming newly arrived SIRLS director Brooke Sheldon, the Spring 2001 slate of officers convened to make plans for the up-coming semester which included a host of activities and programming, both scholastic and social alike.
Returning from Winter Break, students were greeted by the first round of improvements to the SIRLS complex. In addition to the aesthetic enhancements, the computer lab was outfitted with computers with greater capabilities. Students were asked to vote to their favorite software, some of which will be forthcoming. LSO members even offered on-site mentoring for those grappling with networking or WebCT issues.
The semester kicked off with the traditional welcoming pizza party-this year with the addition of raffle prizes. This was followed shortly thereafter by the first of the wildly popular bi-weekly happy hours. An enthusiastic membership campaign led to an unprecedented leap in membership. Dues were rounded up to $10 a year, which, combined with the proceeds from the sale of the official LSO t-shirt, raised funds to increase programming.
Programming focused on issues essential to any soon-to-be information professional: in- depth interviewing workshops and resume-building sessions with local librarians. Additionally, a brown bag lunch featured alumni and representative to the 2000 ALA conference, Jan Knight, who prepped members on conference activities. Nominations for the 2001 conference were subsequently held in which LSO President Ingrid Trebinsky was elected as the school's student representative.
The online environment at SIRLS continues to give students access to essential information. UA-LSO listserv serves as the conduit for the organization's news, while JOBOPS provides its listserv members with a wide range of local and national job postings. Although technology links off-site students to the curriculum and the school's news, board members felt that strides could be made to enhance the online sense of community. A key issue this semester has focused on the desire to break down the virtual barrier encountered by distance students. Revisions and enhancements to the distance student page, and the creation of the office of Distance Student Liaison, as well as virtual chats and satellite happy hours in Phoenix all worked toward this end.
The LSO provides its members with a multitude of opportunities. In addition to providing professional development, membership can introduce you to the terrific group of students at SIRLS. Please visit the official LSO website for details.
The Summer/Fall 2001 LSO Officers
LSO President: Ginger Cullen
Vice President: Shelly Drumm
Secretary: Elisa Donnadieu
Faculty Student Liason: Abbie Zeltzer
Social Activities Charipersons: Shannon Mack & John Munoz
Job Coordinator: Jan Payne
Webmaster: Shelly Drumm & Raik Zaghoul
Fundraiser: Christine Dykgraff
SIRLS LSO Friends Committe Chair: Rick Fitzgerald
Distance Student Liason: Beth Gouwens
Faculty Search Committee Representative: Rick Fitzgerald
Some LSO efforts might be especially interesting to SIRLS alumni:
UA-LSO LISTSERV: This listserv is "owned" by the LSO, and is a forum
for the open discussion and announcement of matters of interest (both intellectual
and practical) to SIRLS students. However, you do not have to be a student
to join - UA-LSO subscribers number several alumni, UA librarians and SIRLS
faculty and staff. For more information, please visit: http://www.sir.arizona.edu/lso/ualso.html
JOBOPS LISTSERV: Every semester a SIRLS student is elected to comb library and information services jobs lists and post them to this list for the benefit of over 100 subscribers; job information may also be posted by any subscriber. Jobs posted include a wide range of career levels and locations the world over. This list is open to anyone who is job-hunting in the library and information services field. For more information, please visit: http://www.sir.arizona.edu/lso/jobs.htm
T-SHIRT SALES: The LSO t-shirt was redesigned in spring of 2000. We chose a new compass logo for the front (because we know where we are and where we want to go), and quote lines from Jorge Luis Borges' "Poema de los Dones" in English and the original Spanish: "I have always imagined Paradise to be a kind of library" "Yo, que me figuraba el Paraíso / Bajo la especie de una Biblioteca." Shirt prices run from $12.00 for sizes S-XL and $13.00 for sizes 2X-3X. We also have a few polo shirts left (no Borges quote, just the logo) in sizes S-L. 100% of the t-shirt price benefits LSO programming. Show your school spirit and get one today! For more information on colors and ordering, check out our webpage at http://www.sir.arizona.edu/lso/shirts.html
A message from the SLA Student Group
The Summer/Fall 2001 SLA Executive Board
President: Ingrid Trebisky
Vice President: Ginger Cullen
Secretary: Rick Fitzgerald
Tours Coordinator: Elizabeth Gouwens
