2012-2013 ALASC Officers

Chair: Elaine Hall

Elaine started her MLIS program at San Jose in Fall 2011. Her focus is on academic libraries, research and supporting technologies. In addition to her involvement with ALASC, Elaine is also a member of SLISConnect, ASIS&T, American Library Association, Washington Library Association and a member of the SLIS Connect Distributed Research and Writing Group. She currently works as an Event & Communications Manager for a non-profit organization based in Seattle where she oversees all communication, marketing, and fundraising programs while serving the needs of the association members. Outside of work and school, Elaine is a dedicated wife, mother of two, and enjoys gardening, reading, and writing.

Co-chair / Web Coordinator: Richard Thomchick

Richard Thomchick has been a SLIS student since Spring 2009 and plans to graduate in Spring 2013 with specializations in digital services and emerging technologies. After graduating, Richard hopes to pursue a PhD in Library and Information Science through the SJSU Gateway program offered by SJSU and Queensland University of Technology.

In addition to his serving as the Co-chair and Web coordinator for SJSU ALASC, Richard served as the first managing editor of the SLIS Student Research Journal, and is a member of the Golden Key Honour Society and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. In addition to school, Richard is also co-founder and principal of Thomchick LLC, an independent consultancy that focuses on communications, branding and information design for clients such as VMware, Symantec and the UK Parliament.

Program Coordinator: Dena Gould

My name is Dena Gould, I am currently employed with Los Angeles Public Library for 13 years as Clerk Typist. I am projected to graduate in the MLIS program at SJSU in Spring 2013 with a focus on young adult services. As a member of ALA, ASCLA, CLA, SLA, YALSA and newly elected Program Coordinator for ALASC and the many social organizations SJSU has to offer, I look forward to cultivating lasting professional and personal relationships. This summer I am committing 10 hours per week at Los Angeles County Juvenile Hall in a pilot program developing a library space for three out of 15 of the General Housing Units creating a comfortable space for the youth to access relevant, current and appropriate reading with an internship this Fall to follow through with this vision.

Newsletter Editor: Laura Bott

Laura started the SLIS program in January 2011. Her professional interests include academic librarianship, digital services, and information organizations. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and currently holds the position of Head of Circulation for a public library. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and cooking.

Secretary/Archivist: Rosemary Kiladitis

Hi everyone, I’m Rosemary. I’m a New Yorker, and the SLIS program has been amazing for me – I feel more a part of things here at SJSU than I did on campus as an undergrad! I’ve got a B.A. in Communication Arts & Sciences from Queens College and a Professional Certificate in Publishing from New York University’s School of Continuing Education. I work part-time in the Subrights Department at Bloomsbury Publishing – I’m a bit of a book fiend. I began the SLIS program in Spring 2009 and will graduate at the end of the Fall 2012 semester. This is my first board position, but you can find me on Second Life during VCARA (Virtual Center for Archives and Records Administration) meetings. Feel free to introduce yourself! I’m very excited to work with the student body and am making it part of my mission this year to get some more East Coasters involved – look for us on Facebook and keep an eye out for events!

Social Media Manager: Xiaoda Wang

I am an aspiring art library student who has been taking courses relevant to academic/special librarianship. Previously, I have studied art history in San Diego and London. I enrolled at SJSU in the hopes of using the skills I will gain to work with books I am interested in. In my free time I like to read literature on art history, new media and critical theory (especially post-colonial theory). I am also a big cinephile; my favourite auteurs include Alfonso Cuaron, Steve McQueen, Francois Truffaut, and Jean-Pierre Melville.

Treasurer: Jennifer Dinalo

Jennifer started the MLIS program at SJSU in the spring of 2011 and is hoping to graduate in spring of 2013. Her primary interest lies in specialty libraries specifically medical and science. Jennifer is a microbiologist and is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys reading (of course!), movies, yoga and volunteers baking and decorating birthday cakes for at risk youth with the organization cake4kids.org.