"I hope this book supports both academic and professional success of our business students as well as business professionals and entrepreneurs," she said.

The book describes information search strategies and techniques that are critical for business students and business practitioners. It also highlights credible sources of business information on specific topics in company and industry research.

Harvard Business Publishing recently selected the book as a “selected resource guide” to pair with its cases.

"With increased size and complexity of the information available today, it is essential for business professionals to develop strategic mindset and adequate skills in conducting information research," she said. "I am hoping that this book is particularly helpful for those who are new to the business field and still unfamiliar with the research process."

Kubo has been at Fresno State since October 2008.

"I was hired as a public services librarian at the Henry Madden Library," she said. "Since then, it has been my pleasure working with Fresno State students, faculty, staff and administrators."

She was initially appointed as the library liaison to the College of Social Sciences, and reappointed as the liaison to the Craig School of Business in 2010.
 
She received a B.A. in History from Okayama University, Japan, and a certificate in Library Science from Meisei University, also in Japan. She came to the United States for her graduate studies in Library and Information Sciences (LIS) and received an M.A. in LIS from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

"I served as a reference and instruction librarian at Arkansas State University from 2004 to 2008 and taught an information literacy course," she said. "I also coordinated library research workshops both at Arkansas State and Fresno State."
 
She became interested in library careers during her senior year at Okayama University, when she was stuck trying to find enough information resources for her thesis.

"With much frustration, I reluctantly approached the library reference desk for help. It was like magic that the librarian immediately found so many relevant resources from a variety of credible sources," she said.

This experience motivated her to enter a library program when she graduated from the university.
 
"My second eye-opening moment came when I took a business information research course in library school at UMC," she said.

"Through this course I realized that I enjoyed business research librarianship the most, assisting local businesses, entrepreneurs, and business students with information searching."
 
Kubo enjoys assisting students with their business projects, individually or in a small group.

"I always enjoy learning how they come up with their product ideas, and I explore various search strategies and resources together until we finally locate the information needed," she said.

"Then I typically review the search strategies, techniques, and resources so that students can perform the research independently in the future." 
 
She also likes providing library research instruction in the classroom and for large groups.

"Another aspect of my position that I enjoy is to coordinate library research workshops and related programs, often collaboratively with campus stakeholders and community partners," she said.

One of her programs, Money Smart Week, is a series of financial management workshops partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the American Library Association.

Kubo has been active in library professional organizations such as American Library Association’s Business Reference and Service Section (ALA-BRASS) and Special Libraries Association's Business and Finance Division. Last year she received the Achievement in Academic Business Librarianship Award presented by the Special Libraries Association.

Kubo is a board officer of Fresno-Kochi Sister Cities Committee.

"Fresno has a long partnership with the Japanese city of Kochi," she said. "The partnership involves cultural and educational exchange programs that started in 1965. This year we are sending a group of citizen delegates to Kochi to further friendship and cultural understanding between our cities and countries, and we anticipate welcoming their delegation’s visit to Fresno in 2018."
 
A self-described bookworm for her entire life, Kubo also enjoys playing tennis and running.

But most of all, she treasures the times she spends with family in Japan.
 
"My family has always enjoyed cats and now we have a tabby called Momo, meaning 'peach' in Japanese," she said. "As she resides with my parents, she is another major reason for me to go back home!"