As we approach graduation, the College of Communication & Information would like to highlight Vidhya Jagannathan. Vidhya is currently a student in the Master of Science in Information Program and plans to graduate this spring.
Vidhya shared that one of the factors that drew her to Florida State’s Master’s program was its Managing Makerspace class. Makerspace is one of Vidhya’s main interests, and she aspires to eventually work as a makerspace or specialty services librarian. Currently, she serves as the Creative Space (Makerspace) Coordinator as well as a senior library assistant at the North Cobb Regional Library.
“As a Makerspace Coordinator I provide a variety of public faced programs with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind; budget, acquire, and maintain makerspace equipment; and train staff,” she explained. Vidhya is also extremely passionate about outreach and partnering with community organizations which can be seen through her work at the library.
“My outreach interests stem from the fact that I want the communities to know that public libraries are a lot more than just books; the services transcend the four walls! The digital learning resources any public library offers is immense nowadays. That, in addition to the variety of literacy, art, craft, technology, and STEAM programs that libraries offer for free is something I am passionate about letting the community know! I also remember my initial difficulties as an immigrant in this country and want the community to know that libraries are safe meeting spaces and offer ESL services as well as citizenship kits to help with assimilation.”
This passion has led Vidhya to begin a chapter of Girls Who Code (GWC) at her branch as well as to receive a grant from American Library Association’s (ALA) Libraries Ready to Code program to support her work in teaching digital skills and a grant from the Atlanta Food Well Alliance to fund a community garden. Vidhya’s efforts have been recognized at the county level with a Certificate of Achievement from the Cobb County Board of Commissioners and at the national level with acceptance into ALA’s 2023 Cohort of Emerging Leaders. In addition, the Georgia Library Association awarded her a $3,000 Hubbard Scholarship, ALA awarded her a $6,500 Spectrum Scholarship, and FSU awarded her a $1,500 Foundation Scholarship and waived tuition for three semesters for which Vidhya would like to thank Kimberly Amos Tata.
When asked what she will remember most about her time at Florida State, she shared, “I am going to remember the kindness and encouragement of some of my favorite professors Dr. Everhart, Dr. Hinnant, and Dr. Zimmerman and the friendships and connections I have forged that will continue beyond graduation.”
Join us in congratulating Vidhya on her upcoming graduation and wishing her luck in her future endeavors!