Fourteen Syracuse University School of Information Studies (iSchool) library students visited the state library, archives, and museum in the Office of Cultural Education on Friday, January 28, 2011.
“The professionals we met were fantastic in every way,” said trip organizer Claire Enkosky G’11. “They took time out of their day to explain what they do and how the different institutions operate, as well as to give us some very good advice about our future careers.”
The students met with library scientists who work in the Library Development Division, the Research library, Special Collections, and Archives as they toured the various departments and museums as well as the public part of the library.
Enkosky, who works in the Center for Digital Literacy with Meredith Professor Ruth Small, was most excited to tour the Talking Books and Braille Library.
“The tour was easily incorporated into one of Dr. Ruth’s Institute of Museum and Library Services grant-funded projects, Project Enable,” she said. “The project brings together representative school media specialists from many districts to attend a free workshop this summer to learn about new resources and techniques for improving access to students, especially those with disabilities.”
The trip was also a way for online students to get involved in activities with campus-based students. Two students living in Albany and working toward their M.S in Library and Information Science degrees online, Veronica Stork and Christina Evola toured the library with the 12 campus-based students, who carpooled from Syracuse.
“I believe the trip strengthened ties between the iSchool and the State Library,” Enkosky said. “It was an invaluable experience for those of us who went, and I only wish that Syracuse and Albany were closer so that trips like this were more easily made.”