In less than a week I will officially be starting the second semester of my Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee's School of Information Studies. I can't believe how quickly the summer flew by, but I am excited to start my next bout of classes.

This semester I am taking all of my classes online which will be somewhat of a new experience for me (last semester I had a whopping one class on-campus). However, now that I will be working two part-time jobs on top of maintaining this website, online classes will give me the availability to juggle my workload a lot more easily — it won't be easy, but at least it will be easier.

Here's a look at the classes I will be taking this semester at the 15th top-rank Library and Information Science school in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report. The majority of them are the rest of the required courses I need to graduate, but I am particularly looking forward to the only non-required course I am taking this semester!

Organization of Information (INFOST 511 – online): This required course introduces basic concepts, historical background, and theoretical, practical, and technological aspects of information organization. According to the syllabus, upon completing this course I will "be able to explain the fundamental concepts behind rules and systems that provide bibliographic and intellectual access to documents; have an elementary understanding of the major traditions in information organization, including cataloging, classification, indexing and abstracting, and bibliography; be able to critically analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each type of bibliographic system; be able to design a simple tool for organizing a small collection; and be aware of current issues in information organization.

Information Access and Retrieval  (INFOST 571 – online): According to the syllabus, this required course examines three major categories of issues related to information access and retrieval. One is concerned with the range of current information retrieval systems and techniques or processes involved in their construction and application, including database structures, indexing principles, vocabulary control and interfaces. Secondly, the course establishes how to describe and analyze the dynamics of user’s information needs and their searching behaviors. Lastly, students are equipped with critical and analytical skills related to selecting appropriate information retrieval systems, databases, resources for assistance, query formulation and other information retrieval techniques. Special attention is also given to the evaluation of information retrieval systems. 

Introduction to Research Methods in Library and Information Science (INFOST 591 – online): This required course introduces students to basic research concepts, methods, and evaluation in library and information science, and applications of research in the information professions. Upon completion of the course I will be able to identify the range of quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods used in library and information science; evaluate the merits of published research in library and information science; identify a research problem and associated research questions, and design a research project to address the identified research problem and more. I took a communications research methods class during my time as an undergrad at Marquette University, and I'm predicting this will be my hardest course this semester.

Multicultural Children's Literature (INFOST 741 – online): This course is an exploration of the literary and cultural heritage of parallel culture in the United States including African Americans, Arab Americans, Asian Americans, Latino/as and Native Americans. The course focuses on major issues in multicultural children’s literature such as representation, cultural authenticity, and evaluative criteria using critical race theory as our guiding premise. After finishing this course I will be well acquainted with major discourses in multicultural children's literary criticism, familiar with literature from each ethnic group under discussion, recognize ways in which a piece of literature reflects the ethnic group and more. As no surprise to anyone who regularly reads my blog, I am obviously most excited about this course! 

There is some ongoing conversation about whether or not the MLIS program will continue requiring a capstone project to graduate. If they do away with the capstone requirement, it's looking like I'll graduate in the spring. However, if I am required to do the capstone, I will probably wait until the summer term to complete it, making my graduation date sometime this summer. Either way, I can't believe how quickly my time as a graduate student is flying by! 

Hello dear reader, and happy Monday! I have some pretty exciting news: You're reading the words of the South Milwaukee Public Library's new youth services intern! After three different interviews for entry-level youth services positions at public libraries across southeastern Wisconsin, I've finally managed to land a position that will serve as a giant stepping stone toward working as a youth services librarian full-time after finishing graduate school.

I will still be working as a library assistant at the Community Library locations in Salem, Twin Lakes and Silver Lake; however, I am extremely excited to be able to start working more directly with children and their parents at the South Milwaukee Public Library. I am especially looking forward to leading storytime programs for kids of all ages. Now all I have to do is find a way to juggle these two library positions on top of going to grad school full-time and attempting to keep up with this blog on a regular basis . . . Good thing I'm going on vacation next week – I have a feeling it's going to be the last of my relaxation time for quite a while! 

It's quotes like that one that make The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry so beloved and memorable. Like any good bibliophile, I can't pass up a book about books, but this one is unlike any other I have ever read. 

While it may seem a bit redundant or obvious, I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read. After all, it's really A.J.'s connection to the written word that draws you into the story and keeps you there –at least it sure did for me.

Just over a year ago, the small town of Ferguson, Mo. was rocked by the shooting of Michael Brown. More than 365 days later, the community is still attempting to heal. At the center of that peace-seeking effort is the Ferguson Municipal Public Library and its director, Scott Bonner.

When the shooting happened just over a year ago, Bonner had only been in his position as director for five short weeks. In a recent interview with American Libraries Magazine, he discussed how the library has changed since Brown's death:

Thanks in large part to a flood of donations, increased funding allowed the library to start to address important issues through its programming, including the creation a teen newspaper, STEM/STEAM learning, and discussions about social justice and equality. Bonner told American Libraries Magazine:

When asked how the past year changed his perception of the Ferguson community and the library’s role in it, Bonner told American Libraries Magazine, "It has magnified my existing perception of what libraries are for and what they can do in a community. It’s given me a chance to take the community library idea and try it in hyperdrive."

Bonner and the rest of the staff at the Ferguson Municipal Public Library have proven just how important local libraries are to their communities. Public libraries are far more than book-lending institutions filled with old ladies saying "Shh." Instead, libraries are at the center of their communities and their staff members work effortlessly to unify, unite and better the people they serve.

It's somehow already August (!?!) and that means the summer is going to be over before we know it! But don't break out the back to school supplies just yet – there's still plenty of time for trips to the beach, weekend getaways and, of course, summer visits to your local library!

It's no secret that summertime is when public libraries shine most. Ask any youth services librarian and they will tell you it's hands down their busiest time of year. Not only do summer reading programs like those offered by libraries decrease the effects of summer slide, they also are a great opportunity for kids (and adults) to foster their love of literacy and win some cool prizes in the process!

Of course, libraries aren't the only ones with some awesome summer reading programs – and there is still time to take advantage of many of them before those trees change from green to brown. Here are a few other neat summer reading programs going on across the nation.