Librarian Stuff: Information Architecture

"Information architecture is becoming the glue that ties together different information spaces in cross-channel experiences. IA is to digital space or information space what architecture is to physical space—it is the foundational layer of our experiences." --Andrea Resmini

If you're in library school, consider taking a course on Information Architecture. In fact, don't consider it. Just do it--have two tracks of study or take summer classes or something. Seriously. With words like big data trending, there is no way these classes won't come in handy in your future and you'll have an alternative career path that will make finding a job much easier.

What I've come to learn about IA:

I'm a librarian. Not just any ole librarian either--I consider myself pretty progressive, motivated, interested in changes in the profession and fairly on top of things. Still, when I heard people talk about Information Architecture, I immediately thought of Systems Librarians--those who defend library resources from hackers, code & program, make sure the internet works, and stuff like that. I was so wrong.

IA is a little bit of web design and a bit of database management, throw in a good dose of metadata, and indexing, and project management and roll it all into one profession. It's diverse and versatile and changing. It's amazing. point blank.

How the heck did I miss this in library school? IA wasn't a track at my university but if it was, I'd like to think I'd have been on it. As it stands, I took a core class in Information Systems in Libraries, a class on Thesaurus Construction, and a class on Research Methodologies. Then I went out and researched the profession--in the thorough way that a librarian does research. I had an epiphany.

 I just finished my first freelance IA project and I'm so happy. With the work, the flexibility, and, I won't lie, the pay. All kinds of dopeness.

My Ph.D. planning never took into consideration Information Studies. I got caught off my game. Another thing to consider. Ahhh, it's overwhelming in a good way :)