LJ Movers & Shakers 2010: Tribal Counsel

Tribal Counsel Liana Juliano already has a packed schedule between her teaching duties at San José State University (SJSU) School of Library and Information Science, the presidency of the American Indian Library Association, and her job as technical/electronic services librarian at a Los Angeles law firm. But she still finds time to drive two hours each way to the Torrez Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Reservation in Southern California because she believes so passionately in helping tribal libraries. “I feel like there is no one to advocate for the tribal library, so I have made it my job to do so,” says Juliano.

She began working with tribal libraries while earning her MLIS degree, and she often reaches out to tribal libraries across California that have recently received Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, letting them know she's happy to answer any questions they might have as they ramp up their services.

Juliano had an unconventional path to librarianship. After a decade as a horse trainer and snowboard instructor, the physical demands began to take their toll. She became interested in special librarianship and while earning her MLIS realized she had a talent for technology services and the web design aspects of the profession.

She never would have considered librarianship if it weren't for a family friend who worked as a law librarian. Now, she feels strongly about educating people about librarianship. “One of the most important aspects of mentoring is to let people know that there are many types of libraries out there,” Juliano says. “There are all sorts of librarians in all sorts of settings. As a librarian, the sky's the limit!”