Hi! I’m Kate, and I’m a graduate student in the School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS). Library and information studies encompass not just libraries of all types but also archives, museums, information technologies, research and much more. UA SLIS is in the top 20 of Library and Information Studies schools nation-wide and includes, not only the Masters of Library and Information Studies but also an MFA in Book Arts.
I’ve enjoyed being a student in SLIS at UA because it has allowed me to vary my course work and gain skills in a variety of areas. I’ve been able to tailor my courses to those areas of librarianship in that I am interested in, which for me includes archives, youth librarianship and academic. I have broad interests, and SLIS has helped me foster each of them. The faculty are wonderful mentors and advisors; they are top members of their field and pass on their extensive knowledge to their students in class and out.
The program also has many professional organizations, internships volunteer opportunities to help students get involved in the profession and get experience while they are still a student. Becoming involved in professional organizations early has been invaluable, giving me leadership opportunities and allowing me to go to national conferences to network and learn. These organizations also set up volunteer events for our students to give back to the library community. Our internship coordinator knows people all over the country and has set up students in all kinds of libraries for valuable internship experiences. I've enjoyed my time in SLIS and know that when I graduate I'll be prepared to enter the world as a professional librarian.
I’ve enjoyed being a student in SLIS at UA because it has allowed me to vary my course work and gain skills in a variety of areas. I’ve been able to tailor my courses to those areas of librarianship in that I am interested in, which for me includes archives, youth librarianship and academic. I have broad interests, and SLIS has helped me foster each of them. The faculty are wonderful mentors and advisors; they are top members of their field and pass on their extensive knowledge to their students in class and out.
The program also has many professional organizations, internships volunteer opportunities to help students get involved in the profession and get experience while they are still a student. Becoming involved in professional organizations early has been invaluable, giving me leadership opportunities and allowing me to go to national conferences to network and learn. These organizations also set up volunteer events for our students to give back to the library community. Our internship coordinator knows people all over the country and has set up students in all kinds of libraries for valuable internship experiences. I've enjoyed my time in SLIS and know that when I graduate I'll be prepared to enter the world as a professional librarian.
Kate Lewallen is a graduate student in the School of Library and Information Sciences.Learn more about SLIS at www.slis.ua.edu.