Law, Library and Service: Samantha Ginsburg, Law Library Fellow, MLIS ’24

Becoming a librarian had always been my goal, and I found satisfaction in the service-oriented aspects of my legal roles…. The collaboration between the College of Law and the College of Information Science is unique, providing exceptional opportunities, guidance and support for learning into all facets of law librarianship.

 
Samantha Ginsburg, who is originally from Pensacola, Florida but now raises a daughter with her husband in Vail southeast of Tucson, joined the Master of Arts in Library and Information Science after working as a paralegal and court staff member in Tucson for five years. As a Law Library Fellow, at the University of Arizona Daniel F. Cracchiolo Law Library, she is gaining hands-on experience in all aspects of academic law librarianship.

What brought you to the University of Arizona to study library and information science?

After spending five years in Tucson’s legal community working as a paralegal and court staff, I made the decision to return to school to pursue a master's degree in librarianship. Becoming a librarian had always been my goal, and I found satisfaction in the service-oriented aspects of my legal roles. Upon learning of the Law Library Fellows Program at the Cracchiolo Law Library, offering the chance to gain academic library law experience close to home, selecting Arizona’s on-campus program in Library and Information Science was an obvious and straightforward decision. The collaboration between the James E. Rogers College of Law and the College of Information Science is unique, providing exceptional opportunities, guidance and support for learning into all facets of law librarianship.

Tell us more about your interests in librarianship.

Apart from my interest in law librarianship and legal information, I am also interested in learning about geospatial data and mapping technologies. I had the opportunity to use Esri’s ArcGIS and ArcGIS StoryMaps for a unique project during my fellowship, and it’s fascinating to see how this technology is implemented in libraries and other disciplines.

What do you like best about the Master of Arts in Library and Information Science? 

Although I am a main campus student, I enjoy the online course offerings and the general flexibility of earning this degree. Given my lengthy commute to campus and the need to accommodate my work schedule, having the option to enroll in asynchronous courses is quite beneficial.
 

What has been your biggest challenge as a graduate student, and how have you overcome that challenge?

A considerable hurdle has been mastering time management. When I returned to school, the extensive writing requirements felt overwhelming, especially while adapting to a new job and reacquainting myself with the student role. Balancing these challenges alongside life’s other obstacles was demanding. However, I faced this by creating a spreadsheet outlining all semester assignments and effectively allocating my time. Eventually, muscle memory kicked in, and I found my rhythm.

What has been your biggest challenge outside of school related to your work or life, and how have you overcome that challenge?

Undoubtedly, the most significant challenge I face at home while pursuing my degree is balancing the responsibility of raising my toddler. The best way to relieve that stress is to simply ask for help. My husband and family have given me invaluable support while in school, whether that’s preparing meals, giving her a bath or going to the park to give me time and space to study. Sometimes I feel sad that I am missing special moments with my daughter, but I know that she is still happy and well cared for, and the sacrifice of my time now will pay off later. 

What are your career aspirations?

Upon graduating, I will have completed a two-year term as a Law Library Fellow. My goal is to eventually pursue a career as a reference librarian in either a college of law or a government law library.
 

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Which student organizations are you involved with?

I am a student member of the American Library Association (ALA), the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) and the Southwest Association of Law Libraries (SWALL). Within AALL, I am affiliated with several special interest sections, including the Government Documents SIS. In spring 2023, I was honored to receive the Veronica Maclay Travel Grant from this section, enabling me to attend the annual meeting over the summer.

Outside of school, what are your passions?

My favorite activity outside of school, besides spending time with my family, is thrift shopping—especially clothes and furniture. You never know what you will find!

What advice do you have for prospective College of Information Science students?

Take advantage of the training and professional development opportunities that the University of Arizona has to offer. For instance, I attended a couple “Library Carpentry” workshops over the summer to enhance my data skills. Register for as many webinars as possible because you never know what might capture your interest. Also, consider joining professional organizations as a student. Often, there is no cost or membership is significantly discounted, and you can gain access to more networking and training opportunities.

What does the InfoSci experience mean for you?

For me, the InfoSci experience signifies exposure, collaboration and discipline. Even if you are already employed in a library, this program provides valuable learning opportunities, and the connections you form with other students, your professors and colleagues enable you to establish a supportive network for the future.
  

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