LSDO was written by practicing library professionals with a keen focus on providing career, education, and industry insights to the future generation of library and information specialists. With the constant progression of technologies, especially in the areas of information collection, analysis, and artificial intelligence, the role of libraries is shifting quickly.

Due to these shifts, many library science programs have evolved their approach and curriculum to capitalize on these new technologies while also positioning their graduates for future success in a rapidly changing information world.

Our Writers and Content Team

All of our writers are full-time working professionals in the library space and serve diverse roles as curators, youth and children’s librarians, and archivists. They strive to incorporate their personal and professional experiences in the space into the content they produce for LSDO.

Alina Moore

Alina is a part-time content writer and Children’s Librarian. After achieving a graduate degree in Library Information Science from San Jose State University, her work in education and youth development has led her to create content surrounding the discussions and advancement of information access to families and disadvantaged minorities. Before her graduate degree, she studied Communication Media Studies and Theater where she has a journalism background and marketing experience working for various theatre companies in Chicago where she currently resides. Alina works at has been published at and here is Alina’s LinkedIn.

Kelly Davis

Kelly Davis has her Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from Clarion University. She has her Bachelor’s in English Literature from Faulkner University. She also worked as a professional librarian in an academic library and was a youth services librarian for a metropolitan public library system. Kelly is currently a part-time freelance writer and enjoys a homestead life with her husband and two kids. Currently Kelly works as a librarian for the Montgomery City-County Public Library.

Emily Rapoza

Emily Rapoza is the Director of Library and Archives for the Great American Songbook Foundation. She was previously a Senior Lincoln Librarian with the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection at the Allen County Public Library. Emily holds two Master’s degrees: Digital History with a focus on GIS mapping and the Italian Renaissance from Ball State University and a Masters in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Emily is on staff at the Great American Songbook Foundation can be contacted here, you can find some of her published work here, and you can find some videos of her sharing her experience as an archivist here. 

Emily DuGranrut

Emily DuGranrut has her Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from Wayne State University, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism from Ohio University. She has also worked as a professional librarian and archivist for an academic library and public library. Emily is also a part-time freelance writer and editor and enjoys hiking and spending time with her dog, Trix, and her cats, Ace and Jack. You can find some of Emily’s writing on the Galesburg Public Library Blog, and she has also been published in The Burg. 

Ryan Schmale

Ryan Schmale is a California-based library and information professional and writer, specializing in information literacy, research, archives, museum work, and antiques. His writing focuses on college and university curriculum, information communities, and various forms of literacy. His writing has explored topics such as the information-seeking behavior of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Community, adult literacy, and digital preservation. He currently resides in Los Angeles where he continues to work in information literacy-based course structure, museum research, and freelance writing. You can find information about Ryan’s work here, and you can contact Ryan here. 

Data Accuracy

LSDO utilized many different data sources to produce its content. One of the primary sources of data for universities more broadly is IPEDS. The American Library Association, which is the accrediting body for library science educational programs, is also a core source of program and accreditation data. In addition to these two, the university websites and, specifically, MLIS degree program pages are a core source of information for our website.

Degree information, including cost/tuition, program length, curriculum, and modality, frequently changes; therefore, we review all of our content annually to ensure it is current and accurate.

Contact Us

To provide feedback, or if you have any questions, please contact robert (at) pacshores.co.