Applying for LRSP
Program Purpose
The Library Research Scholars Program (LRSP) is designed to provide undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain direct experience with an original or guided research project. Working closely with a faculty librarian mentor, the student scholar will create and complete a research project to present to SJSU faculty, administrators, and donors.
Research Scholars Positions
2 positions for an original research project
- Original research projects can be about a topic of interest to the Library Research Scholar that is supported by existing Library collections and/or resources. See past projects on the Library Research Scholars Guide.
1 position for a guided research project on the following topic
- Given the diverse student population at SJSU, it is crucial that the University Library’s services, collections, and resources are designed to equitably support students from all backgrounds. Grounded in literature on belonging and othering, this project will examine library engagement by SJSU students across varying demographics. It will further these concepts by examining how the library can design for belonging, and by identifying current practices that may be contributing to othering.
Components of the Program
Students in the LRSP participate in a 3 semester-long, four-part program:
- Cohort Meetings (Weekly): All students in the program will attend a weekly cohort meeting (time to be determined based on student schedules). The weekly meetings will teach students the skills needed to create, carry out, and complete a research project to present to an audience.
- Mentorship and Work Experience: All students will be matched with a librarian faculty member, who will serve as their mentor. Students will complete their research project under the guidance of this librarian.
- Library Meet & Greet and LRSP Showcase: Once the program starts, scholars will present to the library & program donors at the Library Meet & Greet to introduce their research project. The LRSP Showcase is a capstone event hosted by the University Library where each student will describe their experience and present their research project to library administration, faculty, and staff, library donors, and the mentor’s friends and family.
- Final Product of Research: In consultation with a librarian faculty mentor, each student will develop or work on a project that results in an intellectual product. The range of products is broad including, but not limited to, traditional written projects such as a scholarly paper or written creative work, and digital products such as videos or other digital media. The Scholars will have the opportunity to enter their product in the annual SJSU Student Research competition hosted by the Office of Research. Scholars will deposit their final product into SJSU ScholarWorks and guide interested students through the publication process.
Pay, Work Hours, and Duration
Students in the program are hired by the University Library to work 5-10 hours per week (to be decided between the student and their supervisor) and paid $17.00 per hour. Students are provided a workspace in the library to use as needed. The work appointment starts on the first day of Spring Semester 2024 and ends the last day of Spring 2025.
Program Administrators
Anne Marie Engelsen, STEM Librarian, annemarie.engelsen@sjsu.edu
Applications are due Friday, October 20th, 2023
