Creating Opportunities in the Evolving Field of Art Librarianship

From GSLISANN:

ARLIS/NY and the Thomas J. Watson Library, Metropolitan Museum of Art invite you to a panel discussion for students who are focusing their academic work on art librarianship and for recent graduates seeking employment. See below for more information about this exciting event!

“Creating Opportunities in the Evolving Field of Art Librarianship: Career Advisement Program for Students and Recent Graduates”

Date: Friday, April 8, 2011

Time: 3:30-5:00 PM

Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sacerdote Hall, Uris Education Wing (south side of the museum).  Please enter the museum by the ground floor doors at 81st Street, not the main stairs at 82nd, and take the long corridor out of Burke Hall. Buttons will be distributed at the door of Sacerdote Hall.

Description: In a changing field, career possibilities for those students who are focused specifically on art librarianship in academic, museum, and public libraries are narrowing, but there are other opportunities for the new art information professional.  The identity of the art librarian is being re-defined by new professionals, recent graduates who are entrepreneurial, creative and brave, and who look for opportunities outside the traditional paradigm.  This career advisement event will showcase five new professionals who successfully endeavored to work in a broader environment while utilizing the art information skills they gathered in their academic experience.

During their presentations, each of the five panelists will share their personal stories as well as offer insight and encouragement to those in attendance.  An open forum will follow the presentations, and everyone will be encouraged to participate in the discussion on the future of art librarianship and how the new art information professional is adapting to work in a field that is rapidly changing.  The program will conclude with a reception held in the Watson Library for students and recent graduates to network with the professionals in attendance.

This year’s speakers are:

Caroline Caviness

Implementation Manager, ARTstor

While attending the School of Communication and Information, Caroline completed a three-year rotation through the Rutgers University Libraries as the Diversity Resident.  She received her MLIS in 2009.  Caroline currently serves as the Secretary of the ACRL Arts Section Executive Committee, and is a member of the ARLIS/NA Diversity Committee

Mia D’Avanza

Reference/Exhibitions Coordinator, New York Botanical Garden

After graduating from the School of Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida, Mia was awarded the Yale University Kress Fellowship in 2009.

Leah Loscutoff

Digitization Archivist & Project Education Coordinator, Brooklyn Historical Society

Leah earned her MLIS from San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science in 2008.  Leah has worked as a project archivist for the National Park Service in San Francisco, UC Irvine and Columbia University’s Avery Architectural And Fine Arts Library.

Virginia Millington

Manager, Recording & Archive Department, StoryCorps

Prior to graduating from the Pratt Institute’s School of Information and Library Science with an MLS in 2010, Virginia worked at the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Walker Art Center.

Melissa Wagner

Reference/Cataloging Librarian, Sotheby’s Institute of Art

Melissa is a 2007 graduate from Long Island University’s Palmer School of Library and Information Science. Before joining the Sotheby’s Institute of Art, she worked in accounting.  Melissa Wagner serves as Treasurer for the ARLIS/NY Executive Board.

Karyn Anonia, Professional Development Coordinator for ARLIS/NY, will moderate the event.  We are extending our invitation to anyone who is interested in attending.  Please email your RSVP to Karyn Anonia at karynanonia[at]gmail[dot]com no later than Friday, April 1.  Space is limited, so please email your RSVP as soon as possible to reserve your seat.

As part of our commitment to students and recent graduates, ARLIS/NY wishes to provide career development advice and support as well as mentoring and networking opportunities to aspiring art information professionals.  We encourage all to participate.  Hope to see you there!

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