" . . . I see a great deal of potential here, and this is an excellent opportunity to use everything that I've learned about people and library organizations to help us realize that potential."

New Library Staff

Education Librarian Linda Salem "Lives" Her Job

Not all college students are lucky enough to have a librarian living in their residence hall, but the students of SDSU's Cuicacalli Suites have education librarian Linda Salem, who joined the library last August.

Salem and the Cuicacalli resident assistants are planning a series of programs, such as a work-smart library instruction session for residents working on papers. "Other programs we're discussing include a poetry reading, a workshop on deciding on a major, and developing an environment of reading and scholarship in the hall," Salem explained. "Other programs will emerge as resident interest grows in the library's special collections, author events, and programs." In addition, she keeps weekly office hours at the residence hall when students can receive library and research consultation related to their coursework.

Although a native of California, Salem grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and received her bachelor of arts degree in French language and literature from Wichita State University in 1985 and her masters of library science degree from Emporia State University in 1992.

Salem returned to California in 1992, where she was employed first as the business, education and off-campus services librarian at the University of Redlands and most recently as the electronic resources, Web development and education librarian. While at Redlands, Salem earned a master's degree in education and taught courses in children's literature and education, a credential computer course, a graduate research education course, and a first-year seminar.

In addition to providing reference services and library instruction, Salem will be the subject bibliographer for the education and juvenile literature collections, as well as the comparative literature and French literature collections. According to Salem, her new job at the SDSU Library offers a rare opportunity to use all of her skills. "Right after I graduated with my master's at Redlands, this job came up, and it is exactly what I was looking for," she said.

Salem was recently appointed as the fellow for the Center for Teaching and Learning. "I hope to contribute to programming that can incorporate the library in a seamless fashion throughout the Center's activities," she said.

Linda Salem can be reached by e-mail at lsalem@mail.sdsu.edu or by phone at (619) 594-5148.

Jon Cawthorne Appointed Associate University Librarian

"I see a great deal of potential here, and this is an excellent opportunity to use everything that I've learned about people and library organizations to help us realize that potential," said Jon Cawthorne when asked about his decision to join the SDSU Library.

Last June, Cawthorne became the library's new associate university librarian (AUL). As AUL, Cawthorne represents Dean Dowell and the library at meetings and manages the overall operations of the library when the dean is not present.

Originally interested in communications, Cawthorne received his bachelor's degree in English and radio communications from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, in 1991. It was during his time at Evergreen that Cawthorne became interested in librarianship. "My grandmother was a children's librarian for many years at Prince George's County Library in Maryland. I was inspired and captivated by her stories and our discussions about the many banned books she gave me to read."

Cawthorne left Washington State for our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. While attending the University of Maryland, College Park, he worked at the Library of Congress as well as National Public Radio. After receiving his masters of library science degree, Cawthorne accepted a position as minority librarian intern from Ohio State University. In 1995, he relocated to Eugene, Oregon, where he served as a reference librarian and coordinator for outreach services at the University of Oregon. Four years later, Cawthorne accepted the position of assistant director for the main library within the Detroit Public Library system, and prior to his move to San Diego he was the interim deputy director.

When Cawthorne is not working, he is spending quality time with his family. For those who think the name Cawthorne sounds familiar, that is because it does-Jon Cawthorne is the son of Herb Cawthorne, KGTV News reporter.

Jon Cawthorne can be reached by e-mail at jcawthor@mail.sdsu.edu or by telephone at (619) 594-6014.