Each year RMSLA awards the Rebecca Jackson Memorial Scholarship to a library and information science student who has an interest in pursuing a career as a special librarian or an information professional. The scholarship is named for Rebecca Jackson, an outstanding chapter member who was dedicated to mentoring library school students. Read about this year’s winner, Lindsay Roberts, in the feature below.

About Lindsay Roberts

Brief Bio:

I’m in the second year of the MLIS program at the University of Denver. After college, I taught English to high school students in France. I also worked at the Boulder Book Store for five years in a variety of roles, including author event host and Sidelines Buyer (free chocolate was my favorite part of the job!).

Employment:

I am working full time as Assistant to the Chair of Political Science at the University of Denver to help pay for MLIS coursework. I am also a graduate assistant at Auraria Library in research and instruction, where I get to teach library instruction classes to undergraduates and work the research help desk on evenings and weekends. I would love to arrange an internship working in a corporate environment or with an information consultant for a few hours each month.

Education:

Not many people know that I unschooled myself for most of high school (basically, like homeschooling, but the teenager teaches herself and finds real world learning experiences, rather than relying on formal instruction). This meant that I got to do things like spend a week observing the aurora borealis in Alaska, be a volunteer with the University of Alabama Paleontology department digging up dinosaur bones, and spend enormous amounts of time at the Tuscaloosa Public Library or wandering the stacks at the University of Alabama libraries. I earned my BA in French and Humanities from CU-Boulder.

Involvement with professional organizations:

I currently serve as the Vice Chair of the ASIS&T student group—check out our TechBytes Archive for 30 minute technology talks. Last year, I was Secretary of the ALA student chapter. This past summer, through the Student to Staff program, I won a spot to volunteer at the ALA Annual conference in Anaheim, where I got to assist the Office for Literacy and Outreach Services with their conference events. In my first year in the LIS program, I received a LEADers III scholarship from the Denver Public Library and was able to do a service learning project with the Denver Public Library’s Community Technology Center as a part of the LEADers program. I attended Spotlight on Your Career and Colleague Connection this past spring, and I am looking forward to becoming more involved with RMSLA in the next year!

As an MLIS student and an information professional, what do you find valuable about RMSLA? Why would you recommend RMSLA to other MLIS students?

For me, RMSLA represents a chance to explore the information profession outside of the school, public, and academic areas. In many ways, RMSLA seems like a very interdisciplinary group. The lines are blurred between business, science, academic, and non-profit work, among the varied job titles RMSLA members hold. When I browse the SLA Member Directory for our chapter, I find myself thinking, “huh—I never knew that job existed!” So RMSLA is expanding my understanding of what is possible in our profession. The webinars and career resources are fabulous. For students and new professionals, the networking events RMSLA provides are a great way to begin meeting professionals in the area and narrowing down what you think you might like to do!

Currently Reading:

I am addicted to reading The New Yorker at breakfast and I try to keep up with the current issue—usually I’m a couple of weeks behind. Occasionally I’m late to work when I’ve been reading one of the longer non-fiction pieces. I am currently finishing David Shumaker’s The Embedded Librarian and have found it to be hugely on-target with where we’re heading in the field. I’m also finishing up The Start-Up of You, by the founder of LinkedIn, Reid Hoffman (thanks, Kim Dority, for these two excellent recommendations!). I loved The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough, which I slowly savored over most of the summer. I devoured Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey a few weeks ago. Who knew that the real story is far more exciting than the mini-series? I’m curious to check out J.K. Rowling’s new book for adults, The Casual Vacancy, when fall classes are over.

Hobbies, Etc.:

When I’m not reading something, I love rock climbing, hiking, cycling, and doing yoga. I love taking classes to learn new skills—Swallow Hill Music School and the Lighthouse Writer’s Workshop are some of my favorites, but I’ve taken fun classes in motorcycle basics, sewing, and photography in recent years. I hope to take a class on cheese making soon!

Thank you!

I’d like to warmly thank the Jackson family and all of the RMSLA members who contributed to the Rebecca Jackson scholarship fund this year, whether at the Trivia event, the Rockies game, or through an individual or company donation. This scholarship will help me finish my last few classes at DU—thank you for supporting new professionals like me!
Contribute to the Rebecca Jackson Memorial Scholarship fund.