LIS5313

Student Posts

Working With a Passion

Grinch @ holiday outreach event for foster families, along with Grinch's son volunteering to help at the event.
Holiday outreach for foster families with my kiddo volunteering

Hello all! I am Mellissa Clark from southern California and currently living in Kingsland, Georgia. I work full time as a Library Manager with Camden County Public Library. I am attending FSU virtually for the MSI program to broaden my career opportunities. I enjoy my job and what we do for, and within the community, like putting on amazing and immersive programs. I often find myself dressing up as various characters for our programs to bring about lifelike characters.

Although being the center of attention is out of my comfort zone I put everything I have into creating a fun and enjoyable event for all the patrons who come through our doors. We are a small library but see anywhere from 40-1,200 people in attendance at each event. My staff and I have so much fun, that various community organizations request us to join their events due to our passion and plethora of wacky character costumes.

This class is going to be a lot of fun while still being challenging. I hope to learn more about photo and video editing to better our marketing strategy for our library. I do not have access to our website to work with, but I do have control of our social media pages and can apply everything I learn from this class to those platforms. I have worked with some video editing software and I highly enjoy it, but I know there is so much more to learn. Although we reach far beyond our town, I know we can further our reach with better videos and pictures for promotions.

Camden County Public Library (GA) 2022 Haunted Library event, Freddy and ghost bride.
2022 Haunted Library Event

In the little time I have left after a full day of work, classes, and homework; I work with our local high school instructing their guard. It’s not something people typically know about, so here is a short video of what we do in Winter Guard. I absolutely love teaching this group of students and watching them overcome each challenge presented to them. Seeing them grow in confidence and strength is amazing and such a rewarding experience. This last marching season they blew away the judges, the staff, and parents. A dream would be to teach color guard full time. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job hence the time and money I am spending on a degree, but the feeling of teaching something that gave me so much growing up, is like nothing else. We are getting ready for our first competition for winter guard season and I can’t wait to see what this season holds for our team!

January 14, 2023 by Spring 2023 Student Posts 2

Hi, I’m hungry.

Hey hey! My name is Corinna and I was born in China, raised in Orlando, and am currently in Tallahassee for school. My undergrad is in ICT (Information, Communication, Technology) and I am currently getting my masters in IT for UX Design. I feel like saying the word “design” might make you all assume that this class is going to be a breeze for me but I am sorry to inform you that is not the case. I currently work as a software developer at Paul Consulting Group, which means the creative side of my brain has been on the back burner for far too long. But I thoroughly look forward to stretching my creativity and being inspired by all of you.

Me in my happy place

Something you need to know about me is that I have been labeled the “snack girl” by most friend groups I have ever been a part of. Part of the requirements that come with such a title is always having at least five snack options on you at all times, being the friend that feeds the less prepared friends, and always keeping a snack no less than 10 steps from any location in your house. I love to bake but most of my time goes to looking up recipes on TikTok that I save but never actually get around to making. Here is a link to the most recent recipe I saved, maybe one of you guys will have time to try it: Moroccan Meatballs.

I mean look at that face…

Aside from that I am a big nature girl, love music, and will travel overseas any chance I get. I also am a proud aunt to the four cutest kiddos in the world. I am sure I am extremely biased but here is a picture of my youngest nephew just to prove how stinkin cute he is.

January 13, 2023 by Spring 2023 Student Posts 2

Hey… *taps mic* is this thing on?

Isaiah Chavez Professional Photo

Hello! I am Isaiah Chavez from Tampa, Florida. I am currently a BSIS student at USF and a MSIT student at FSU. I am also working in two different careers. I am on 102.5 The Bone hosting various weekend shows and my full-time job is with Home Shopping Network as an IT Engineer.

My hobbies are traveling, volunteering, video gaming and numismatics. Numismatics is the study of coins. I have obtained my Professional Numismatic Certificate from the American Numismatic Association in 2017. I also try to go to a different country every year.

A few of fun facts about me is that I have IMDB credits in film, I have flown a sport plane, sky diving is an amazing stress relief and I got lost in the streets of Japan in a go-kart wearing a Yoshi costume! I am looking forward to this semester in hopes to spruce up my audio and video skills. Good luck to all.

January 13, 2023 by Spring 2023 Student Posts 5

Run. Rest. Repeat

Me and My Dog, Duncan

Hi, everyone! My name is Savanah Byers, and I was born and raised in Central Florida. I currently live in Parrish and work as a Guidance Clerk for an Elementary School which keeps me on the run. This is my last semester in the MSI program, and I will be graduating this Spring with a certificate in School Librarian Leadership.

You can find me either running with my wonderful dog, Duncan, or cuddling with my beautiful cat, Nova. I also enjoy bullet journaling (or crafting) in my free time. A fun fact about me is that I have had the awesome experience of traveling to New Zealand which I hope to have the privilege to revisit. I am not an active member of the social community, but I do have an Instagram account: @sav_byers.

“You Can’t See Me”

I have worked in the school system since I graduated with my BA in Elementary Education in 2017. I was teaching Kindergarten when I realized I was ready for a slight change and found, through experience, that I wanted to work in a library. I am looking forward to this class building my toolbox and learning how to be creative in a new way.

January 12, 2023 by Spring 2023 Student Posts 3

Intro Schmintro!

Fun Fact: This blog title is apparently a song? I’m just learning this.
“Intro Schmintro” by Eye Licker, Bandcamp
POV: You are the IKEA furniture that Will and I are putting together. We are excited about your potential.

Hey! I’m Alex, I’m 28 years old, and I’m in my second semester of the MSI program. My pronouns are she/her or they/them. Nice to meetcha!

My partner Will and I live in Columbus, Ohio in a little fixer-upper home with our four spoiled cats. If there weren’t limits on photos for this blog, I would LOVE to spam you all with cat pictures. But alas.

I was born in a middle-of-nowhere town called Toronto, Ohio (which is coincidentally where a famous FSU coach was also born, apparently?), but I also spent a chunk of my childhood in Dunedin, Florida. And that’s where my love for books and libraries started, thanks to my Gramma Kathie. We spent hours at our local branch reading together.

I didn’t see librarianship in my future, though. That came after graduating from Ohio State with a degree in Japanese Language and Literature in 2016. I really didn’t know what I wanted to do as a career, so I went with what interested me at the time.

It took a few more years, an ADHD diagnosis, some realizations about what I want out of life and how I want to contribute to society, ETCETERA! before I made the decision to jump into all of this. So far, every class I’ve taken has affirmed my decision.

Thanks for reading. As a gift, here is my gramma’s recipe for pumpkin drop cookies, because they rock and you deserve good things.

January 12, 2023 by Spring 2023 Student Posts 4

Are you talkin’ to me? Are YOU talkin’ to ME?

Well, howdy!

My name is Annamarie, and this is my fourth semester in the MSI program at FSU. I currently live in Pinellas county and have actually lived here since birth. I do plan to move after receiving my masters; I’m dreaming of somewhere that experiences seasons!

My day-to-day consists of a lot of crafting and petting cats. I work in the youth department of a public library where I get to help kiddos find fun books when I’m not creating eye-catching displays. At home I like to knit, watch long video essays on YouTube, and play videogames. Lately I’ve been feeling nostalgic and have decided to try to complete all of the challenges in Roller Coaster Tycoon Deluxe. So far I’ve logged over 150 hours of play time… and I’m only about halfway through the challenges!

Speaking of challenges–how about this class, eh? I briefly mentioned in class that I have a background in graphic design. I went to a career academy in high school that focused on web design, so I learned to code html before being certified in PhotoShop and DreamWeaver from Adobe. I took a break from design to get my AA before enrolling in the Graphic Design program at the University of Tampa. I was there for over 2 years, two semesters away from graduating, when everything changed. The lead professor experienced a brutal car accident with her family, and she understandably pulled back. The changes in the program caused me to readjust as well and I transferred to St. Petersburg College to get a BA in Software Development and Management with a specialization in Cybersecurity. That degree will not do much to help me in this course, but all of the experience from my years of learning about graphic design and visual communications are sure to come in handy. I look forward to seeing all of your creative work, and giving helpful feedback and critique!

I would be remiss not to share some cat photos after bringing them up, so without further ado:

Oliver looking handsome, being standoffish
Annie, snoozin on the patio
January 11, 2023 by Spring 2023 Student Posts 3

Taylor’s Tales

My name is Taylor Wilson, and I live in Houston, Texas. I am a new mom to a beautiful, 3-month-old daughter and currently spend most of my time changing diapers, making cooing noises, and looking at black and white contrast photos for babies. In my free time, I like to walk Memorial Park, practice online yoga with my friend and mentor, Hailley Rose, and read/review books on my Bookstagram (@PricklyPearPicks).

For the last decade, I have partnered with the education system as a classroom teacher, volleyball/track coach, and instructional specialist. However, as I transitioned into motherhood in October, I decided to take a step back from my career in order to devote some of that time to finishing my graduate degree. I am pursuing a Masters of Information Science with certificates in School Librarian Leadership and Youth Services. I’m excited to learn about new creative outlets in this class, and I look forward to adding more skills to my tech toolbox.

January 11, 2023 by Spring 2023 Student Posts 2

I’m Still Life! Can’t Lock Me in a Frame I’m Movin’

I am Dahlia Thomas, an MSI student in their last semester, vinyl record and K-pop album collector, and expert Splatoon 3 roller! My concentration in this program of study is Cultural Informatics. I was born in Sasebo, Japan, and live in Tampa, FL. I came to Tampa to learn more about Art History and Studio Art at the University of South Florida. I am interested in museums and hope to work for a large museum one day. When not working, crying, or completing assignments, I collect music memorabilia and play Splatoon 3!

I work for the University of South Florida as a Collection Specialist for Special Collections. Through this position, I get hands-on experience scanning, editing, and transcribing historical documents, images, and interviews mainly related to Florida’s environmental and natural history. I mainly work with oral histories but often edit material for USF. These collection items are posted in the Digital Commons @ University of South Florida website for researchers and students to use. 

I have experience working with digital media through graphic design, digital drawing, 3D modeling, and sculpture, but I need to gain experience with modeling. Through my job and graphic design, I know royalty-free and creative commons images, 3D objects, and audio. I want to gain more experience in creating video projects and editing. I am excited to storyboard some video ideas I’ve had for a while.

January 11, 2023 by Spring 2023 Student Posts 2

It’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me.

Picture of Nicole.

My name is Nicole Damstetter, and I’m a mom, dog mom, Trekkie, wife, friend, and bibliophile (to name a few things). I’m a transplant to Orlando, Florida from Boston, Massachusetts, thanks to my husband and his family. My move down to Florida inspired my parents to retire nearby and now we’re trying to convince my brother and sister to leave the cold north winters for the year-round sunshine.

I currently work as a Director of Professional Services at Salesforce, leading a team of architects designing and implementing technology for our Public Sector customers. I’ve been with Salesforce for almost 6 years, first as an architect, and now as a leader. I am passionate about using technology for good, and love being able to support my team grow professionally and technically, and see the impact we’re creating directly with our customers.

When I’m not working or studying, I enjoy reading (currently mostly fiction), playing outside with my daughter and dogs, visiting the beach, and listening to Taylor Swift.

I enrolled in the Master of Information Science program in 2020 to continue my education, and dive deeper into learning about school and public library operations and programs. I’m looking forward to stretching myself creatively in this class and learning a few new tech programs.  

January 11, 2023 by Spring 2023 Student Posts 5

I’m not a dinosaur

Hi, everybody! My name is Victoria, I use ey/em/eir pronouns, and I currently live in Sarasota, Florida. I am in my final semester of the MSI program, and hope to be a public librarian once I graduate. Currently, I work in a smallish public library, where I help out with youth and teen services.

A person in an orange inflatable dinosaur suit waves with one hand in front of a cardboard arch with a painted sign that says “Jurassic Park.”

The dinosaur to the left is not me, but I did take the photograph and build the cardboard arch for one of our library programs!

I haven’t done much work with media production before, but I collect historical fonts and enjoy making silly memes to put up on the library’s teen bulletin board. I hope that this class will help me get a better sense of how to approach image and video editing. I am also fascinated by intellectual property law, despite having no background in it, so I am looking forward to talking more about copyright and licensing.

January 10, 2023 by Spring 2023 Student Posts 3