March 12, 2024
Lou Helen Sanders (SCI ’89) is a library and information science scholar. Sanders earned her doctorate in library and information science at the School of Computing and Information (SCI), serving as the vice president and president of the department doctoral guild. She served as the Dean of Libraries at Jackson State University for 20 years and has 47 years of experience in university library systems. Now retired, Sanders emphasizes the importance of librarians and information scholars amidst technological transformation.
Q: What piece of advice or wisdom would you give other professionals and students at SCI?
A: During my career, we had virtually no technology. But when I came to Pittsburgh for my doctorate, the technology there was so rich. It inspired me to transform how I did my work. I would tell students at SCI to look at the rich technological environment in Pittsburgh and use it as a springboard for their work now and in the future. There’s a wealth of experiences there, no matter what industry you find yourself in. The experiences you’ll have at the University are so significant, you will be so much better off in your career because you had those opportunities and experiences with its technology, facilities, and renowned faculty.
Q: How has the field of information science changed since your academic and professional career?
A: Librarianship as I knew it no longer exists. There are now so many resources and so many new technologies that I didn’t have when I was in my career. There is new research, new ideas, and new materials that people must navigate now, which is why librarians are so important. We need professionals to help people navigate all that’s out there.
Q: Where do you see the future of information science headed, and what is important for professionals to know going forward?
A: We can’t help but go forward in this field with all the resources and technologies we have available. If we can embrace the novelty and ability to reach many different people and learning environments, that is wonderful. What’s important is that people do not forget the need for professionals in the field, like librarians. Librarians provide guidance for people, they help people access information, both new and old. People must remember that professionals are still a resource that people can go to even during the information age. There is a lot of information out there, but if there is no one to teach people on how to use that information, it gets lost. Researchers and professionals guide people to scholarly materials, and they are of immense aid in all fields.
--Alyssa Morales