Meet a Member - Isaak Hopson July 2021

What is your current position and employer?

My current position is Storage and Marking Specialist at Virginia Commonwealth University Library. 

When did you know you wanted to work in a library career?

I knew that I wanted to work in a library when I was 10.  My Dad worked in libraries so it just felt right. 

What is your favorite part of librarianship?

My favorite part of librarianship is information.  Technology has changed things but at the end of the day libraries will always be a beacon for information. 

What was your first position in a library?

My first position in a library was as a shelving assistant in high school; then working at the media resources desk at James Madison University Library when I was in college. 

What projects or programs are you currently working on at your library?

I am currently working on a project to move 30,000 items from our general collection to storage so we can put in new shelving and allocate more space for growth. 

What issue or topic in librarianship are you most interested in?

I believe an important issue in librarianship is information.  Now more than ever, it’s hard to identify unbiased and objective information. 

What is the most important reason to you for being a member of VLA? 

The most important reason why I am a member of VLA is to be a voice for the unheard.  I didn’t have the benefit of having someone advocating for me as I jumped into my library career and it hindered my professional development.  The Professional Associates Forum helps represent all professional associates across Virginia.  The PAF provides support, opportunities, and experiences for the silent majority and that means so much to me. 

Please contact Isaak Hopson, Current Chair of the VLAPAF if you have any questions.   [email protected]