UXSG@SJSU iSchool Fall 2023 – Spring 2024 Events Recap
2023-2024 Events Coordinator Christina Eilar provided the following rundown of all the events that the UXSG@SJSU iSchool at San Jose State University offered for the students during the past academic year. The events highlight diversity in content and in digital platforms, with some taking place via Zoom and others via Discord.
Virtual SODA Visit (School of the Digital Arts)
On October 19, 2023, the UXSG hosted a virtual visit with Christine Charnock, Dr. Jo Briggs, and Jessica Owens to hear about the UX Design program at the School of Digital Arts of Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) in Manchester, UK. MMU is a partner on the iSchool PhD Gateway program for Library and Information Management, and we wanted to hear about the UX Lab that is part of their design school. MMU School of Digital Arts (SODA) teaches students to be “grounded in the present, but offer[S] the space to explore the future –investigating what it means to be a creative media practitioner at the convergence of storytelling, technology and innovation.” In this discussion we got a peek at the facilities available at their lab for interaction research and insight to how their program encourages industry partnerships and apprenticeships for continuous learning opportunities and professional development, and much more.
Discord Watch Party
On December 11, 2023, the UXSG members joined the Discord server to stream a watch party just after the final due dates of the semester. Join our Discord to hear announcements and tune into the next watch party or study session!
UXSG x REFORMA SJSU Virtual Panel
On February 22, 2024, as a collaboration with the REFORMA SJSU chapter, UXSG co-hosted a virtual panel discussion, Creating Inclusive User Experiences in Libraries: Addressing the Needs of Latinx and Diverse Communities. We had great panelists with lots of experience in library technology and user experience:
Sharesly Rodriguez – User Experience Librarian at Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
April Ibarra Siquieros – User Experience Librarian at California State University San Marcos Library
Kay Ming Cadena – Head of Outreach and User Experience at the Robert Crown Law Library of Stanford University
Mario Ascencio – Library Director at ArtCenter College of Design
Edwin Rodarte – Senior Librarian of Emerging Technologies at Los Angeles Public Libraries
Study Sessions
On February 19, March 18, and April 15, 2024, the UXSG members joined the Discord server for a group study session. We use a Pomodoro timer to set 25 minutes of quiet music, then 5 minutes of break with two repeats per session. Join our Discord to hear announcements and tune into the next watch party or study session!
Game Night
On April 19, 2024, in celebration of our members who completed their E-Portfolios this semester, UXSG members joined Discord together to play some games. Join our Discord to hear announcements and tune into the next watch party or study session!
ByWater Solutions Koha Demonstration
On April 25, 2024, we hosted a demonstration of the Koha ILS from Jessica Zairo and Lucas Gass of ByWater Solutions. UXSG partnered with ByWater Solutions through their Koha Klassmates program to receive full access to a Koha ILS! Koha is an open source library system, and UXSG has full system administration of this ILS. The records database has fake data, providing opportunities for SJSU MLIS students to gain real experience cataloging and managing an ILS in this sandbox environment. Stay tuned for more developments and opportunities to collaborate on this project, and contact us if you’re interested in joining the admin team.
The UXSG@SJSU iSchool at San Jose State University looks forward to providing even more great events and opportunities in the years to come.
