Rate My Professor José Aguiñaga

José Aguiñaga, Ed.D., serves as Assistant Professor in the School of Information at San José State University, a position he assumed in 2022 after serving as a lecturer there since 2020. A seasoned academic librarian with over 28 years of professional experience, his career trajectory includes roles such as Librarian and Branch Coordinator at Glendale Community College's North Campus (2008–2017 and 2018–present), Dean of Library and Instructional Support at Rio Hondo College (2017–2018), Librarian at California State University, Long Beach (2001–2005), Social Sciences Librarian at Arizona State University West (1999–2001), Electronic Resources Librarian at the University of San Diego (1997–1999), and Social Sciences Librarian and Library Personnel Coordinator at the University of Houston (1994–1997). Aguiñaga earned his BA from the University of San Diego, MLS from the University of Arizona, MPA from California State University, Long Beach, and EdD from Northern Arizona University.

Dr. Aguiñaga's research specializations and academic interests include academic libraries, LIS as a profession, LIS education, library leadership and management, social justice in LIS, administration and management, reference and information services, electronic reference services, distance education in LIS, digital and virtual libraries, collections development, and strategic planning. He serves as a PhD faculty supervisor, co-investigator on the iLead project aimed at preparing future library leaders with an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens, and co-faculty advisor for the REFORMA SJSU student chapter. His bilingual upbringing informs his contributions to libraries and society. Key publications include "Evolution of Reference Services in the Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence" (2025), "Leveraging Diverse Knowledge to Support Collection Development" (2025, with Edward McKennon), "Hear Their Voices!" (2023), "Academic Libraries and the Pandemic" (2023), "ChatGPT and Its Possible Impact on Library Reference Services" (2023, with Norman Mooradian, Souvick Ghosh, and Darra Hofman), and "Though Virtual Reference Services Have Increased, They Face Challenges and Opportunities in the Wake of COVID-19" (2022, with Norman Mooradian, Souvick Ghosh, and Darra Hofman).