Are you a student or new professional interested in art librarianship, visual resources, or digital humanities? If so, you should consider attending the Summer Educational Institute (SEI) for Visual Resources and Image Management in Albuquerque, NM on June 5-8, 2018. This annual workshop, a joint project of the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA) and the Visual Resources Association Foundation (VRAF), provides information professionals with the latest technologies and tools to be successful in the rapidly changing field of visual resources. This year the curriculum includes intellectual property rights, digitization standards and process monitoring, metadata, digital preservation, digital curation, and digital humanities. The skills you gain from attending a workshop like SEI will supplement your library school coursework and can help you land a job in this field.

Here’s what two former attendees have to say about their experience:

“SEI was an invaluable experience for me, particularly as a newcomer to the Visual/Digital Resources field. I attended SEI in 2017, having just recently been hired as the Visual Resources Librarian at the University of New Hampshire. The curriculum was just what I needed. In my day-to-day work, I now find myself constantly referring back to things I learned at SEI, from best practices in digitization, to copyright issues, to implementing and managing Digital Humanities projects. In addition to the practical knowledge I gained at SEI, I also met an amazing group of colleagues from across the country. It was comforting to know that others in my position are dealing with the same challenges I face, especially as the Visual Resources and Digital Resources fields continue to evolve and change at such a rapid pace. I was also deeply impressed by everyone’s enthusiasm and commitment to their profession, from the instructors and participants, to the organizers. I recommend SEI to anyone wishing to enhance their skills and connect with dedicated colleagues. My belief in SEI’s core mission and values is such, that I volunteered to take on the role of webmaster for SEI 2018. Take a look at the website for detailed information on the curriculum, instructors, and our new venue at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. And feel free to contact me (otto.luna@unh.edu) should you have any questions about attending SEI.”

Otto Luna, University of New Hampshire

“Many of my goals and expectations were met or exceeded. The professionals brought in to instruct us were great at imparting their expertise and experience to us through presentations, activities and Q&A. While I was not able to connect with everyone at SEI, there was a community atmosphere developed between attendees, organizers and instructors. It was especially helpful for me, as someone new to the VR sector of librarianship. The most surprising aspect of SEI, for me, was the reassurance that I felt building during my time there. I went in with imposter syndrome, feeling like I was inexperienced and that was the cause of how overwhelmed I felt. I learned a lot about the challenges of my specific position, such as its broad scope. I realized that the breadth of the knowledge that I needed to do my job was a benefit and a challenge. I found that I should be more confident, because I know more have a better understanding of my work than I give myself credit for. While there is no replacement for practical experience, there is a lot to be said for having confidence in the work you do and in decisions you make. SEI provided me with an invaluable experience and one that I will recall often when I am presented with challenges throughout my career. Additionally, because of connections that I made at SEI, I was offered the opportunity to become the Publicity Specialist with the SEI Implementation team.”

Chelsea Stone, Sacred Heart University