This
week during spring break, more than 90 students in the Graduate School of
Library and Information Science (GSLIS) will be spending time away from the
beach, completing special projects in libraries and information centers around
the country.
Through GSLIS’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program, graduate students have the opportunity to experience professional life in public, corporate, and special libraries like the Library of Congress in Washington DC, the Field Museum in Chicago, or Caterpillar’s corporate library in Peoria. When possible, students are paired with GSLIS alumni, allowing them to build their professional network and strengthen connections among Illinois-GSLIS graduates.
Helen Jentzen, GSLIS ’12, participated in ASB last year. She travelled to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to work in the central branch of the Hennepin County Public Library system. “I hadn’t really experienced the day to day life of running a library before. ASB provided a realistic perspective on the job environment and allowed me to see that the vision I have for my career is accurate.” During the week, Helen shadowed reference librarians, toured the historical archives, interviewed acquisitions and cataloging librarians, and worked with the library technical assistants who are responsible for all aspects of technology within the library.
Gifts to the GSLIS Annual Fund make it possible for students to participate in and travel to ASB sites. “With a little bit of financial assistance, I was able to travel in a structured time frame; I made the most out of every day!” Helen said. “It is such a gift to be able to have people support intellectual exploration and professional development. Because of my Alternative Spring Break experience, I feel more confident and equipped for my career pursuit.”