Alyce Scott: Congratulations, Valerie - and best wishes for much continued success!

Valerie Ann Strawn

The degree of

Master of Library and Information Science

Virtual Convocation
2019

When I was in first grade my teacher, Mrs. Stryd, gave away some old Dick and Jane books that the class wasn’t using anymore. I still remember the feel, the smell, and the images in that book. I also remember the excitement of reading the story. From that point on books and libraries have always been a part of my life. On sweltering summer days, I would ride my bike to the library where I could sit in the quiet coolness of the library and lose myself in the pages. On Sunday’s I was always the first in line at the church library. My love of libraries was so well known that the small high school I attended developed a library class just for me! No one was surprised when I graduated from high school and applied to San Jose State University where I would be able to enroll in the Master in Library and Information Science Program. But as so happens in life, my plans took a slight turn. After obtaining my BA in Liberal Arts, I married and my graduate degree was put on hold while raising two children. I didn’t completely give up my dream. Over the past twenty years, I have worked as a library clerk in California, a Children’s librarian in New Hampshire, a reading tutor at Konawaena Elementary and substitute library assistant for the Kailua-Kona and Kealakekua branches of the Hawaii State Public Library System. After my youngest daughter graduated from high school, I’ve been able to devote myself to pursuing a graduate degree and it seemed fitting that I return to San Jose State University. Through the SJSU iSchool program, I attended school while running our family’s coffee farm.

My family, especially my husband, Gary who talked me through the tears and quitting multiple times.