Library Science

Are you interested in adjuncting an undergraduate class for us? Please fill out our interest form and we'll be in touch.

We love our alumni! Please let us know if you have any news you want to share with our community — we’ll gladly feature you here. Stay in Touch!

 We’ll have our own booth in the vendor hall at NCTIES. Please stop by to say hello and pick up some swag!

Applications to join the Library Science Alumni Association (LSAA) are open! Please fill out an application. Questions? Email moellerra@appstate.edu.

LSAA representatives for the 2024-2025 academic year are: Tiffiny Francis, Maddie Moore, Belle Wilson, Ashley Rose, Laurie Johnston, Sarah Northington, Alisha Broce, Katie Moose, Jennie Greenway. Thank you, alumni, for your service!

Lori Johnson

When did you graduate? 2012

Where do you work? Burke County Public Library as Curator of the North Carolina Room

What does that entail? I manage the local history collection and help patrons research everything from local businesses and historic events to their family history connections going back to the 1700s.  Our library is very active in programming, so I am involved in planning programs related to history and genealogy as well, often partnering with other local historical organizations. Some of my pet projects include increasing and digitizing the library's collection of school yearbooks, working in cooperation with local institutions to digitize some of their historic photos, presenting the annual "Gathering of the People" program in celebration of Black history, and leading a local committee in the award and installment of a new historical marker on the NC Civil Rights Trail in Burke County in 2023. 

What do you like about your role? My work is very rewarding because I have the opportunity to help people on a very personal level and I have so many opportunities to impact my community beyond the walls of the library.

How do you think the MLS program prepared you for your position?  The experiences and assignments that I had from the ASU MLS program provided a solid foundation for my work in both the school and the public libraries.  The assignments and projects were practical and encouraged the creative use of emerging technologies and resources.  I have been able to use and share many of the skills, resources, projects, and ideas developed during these graduate courses directly in my job.  I also appreciated the opportunities and encouragement I was given to network with my fellow students in person and onlin

What is your advice for current or incoming students in the MLS program? My advice for current and incoming students is to take advantage of the assignments and projects you will have during the program to think practically about real problems, real solutions, and real services that you may be able to provide when you are working with students and patrons in future libraries.  You may even be able to use these projects either as examples in interviews or in an actual library setting in your future jobs.  Incoming students to the MLS program should be prepared to stretch their thoughts of what libraries and librarians can do and be.   And finally, get to know your fellow MLS students.  They will be your colleagues in the wider library community.  My classmates are now fellow librarians in local schools, public libraries, and library systems; we can and do share ideas with one another, ask questions, and compare experiences.

Amity Robinson

When did you graduate? 2015

Where do you work? Ramseur Elementary (Randolph County Schools) 

What does that entail? I teach Pre-K to 5th grade students in the media center weekly. I collaborate with every grade level to extend their classroom learning. I also handle our school’s technology and am the first level of tech support. I lead the Media Technology Advisory Committee. I am also an active part of the School Improvement Team, and have led this team in the past. I also collaborate with media specialists across the district. I had the honor to be voted as Media Specialist of the Year for 2020-2021. 

What do you like about your role? My favorite part of my role is getting to help students find themselves and joy in books. I have been able to bring greater diversity and perspectives to our collection. I love watching a student find themselves represented in the pages of a book and to feel welcomed.

How do you think the MLS program prepared you for your position? App’s MLS program was a cohort. I had many of the same classmates throughout the program. I learned to collaborate and work with a variety of types of people. I think this helped to prepare me to work with different types of teachers. I also learned the value and importance of collection management. Your patrons, whether students or the public, deserve to see both themselves and the world outside of their town in their library. I learned how to advocate for funding and use data to show the need in my collection.

What is your advice for current or incoming students in the MLS program? My advice is to remember your (future) patrons with every decision that you make. Libraries and media centers are one of the last free services that our nation offers. Whether it’s choosing a book, program, or research advice; it’s all for your patrons and community. They come first.