New Librarians, New Leaders:
Educating the Next Generation of School Library Media Specialists and Young Adult Librarians

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

BEGINNING SPRING 2008  

OVERVIEW

The Kent State School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) has federal funding to provide one-time academic scholarships to students who plan on becoming either young adult librarians in a public library or school library media specialists in a K-12 school.

The School anticipates that five scholarships will be available. This funding has been provided through the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) as part of the IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.

Students must be either current students who have completed no more than twelve (12) in the program as of January 1, 2008, or students who are entering the School in the Spring 2008 semester. The admissions standards for scholarship students are identical to those for other students admitted to the School.

Students selected for this program will receive full tuition for all courses to complete a Masters in Library and Information Science (MLIS). Scholarship recipients must begin as a scholarship student in Spring 2008 and will graduate in December 2008. Therefore, students will be required to take courses, including workshops, in Spring 2008, Summer 2008, and Fall 2008 which will permit them to graduate in December 2008.

Scholarships are available only to students interested in becoming either young adult librarians in a public library or school library media specialists in a K-12 school. Students must demonstrate a strong commitment to youth services and pledge to work in either a public library or a K-12 school after graduating from the program.

General Requirements for Scholarship Students

Scholarship students:

1. Must be admitted (or previously admitted) to the School of Library and Information Science’s Master's Program to begin study in Spring 2008.

2. Must be willing to take the courses prescribed to specialize in either young adult librarianship or school library media specialist licensure.

3. Must be willing and able to take courses when they are offered in Spring 2008, Summer 2008, and Fall 2008.

4. Must be able and willing to take courses on the Kent Campus.

5. Must pledge to work in either a public library or a K-12 school after graduating from the program.

Academic Requirements for Scholarship Students

Scholarship students will follow a prescribed course of study.

Each scholarship student will be required to complete a practicum (e.g., field experience) as part of this program. The practicum is a for-credit course which provides for a supervised library work experience of a professional nature for as total of 100 hours of clocked experience, as well as directed readings and the preparation of a practicum paper, requiring an additional 50 hours of effort.

Students will need to be able to complete a practicum in either Summer 2008 or Fall 2008.

Service Expectations
Scholarship students will be required to sign an agreement stipulating that they are expected to return the investment in federal funds by working in a library upon graduation.

The School cannot can guarantee offers of employment to scholarship students when the degree is completed. However, the School has partnered with various organizations and institutions who have committed to working with the School to identify potential employment opportunities. The School has an effective placement service which also lists job opportunities outside of Ohio.

Selection Criteria

Criteria for selection of the scholarship students will include the following:

(1) A 3.0 grade point average for all collegiate work, as evidenced by an official transcript(s).

(2) Evidence of Relevant Work Experience and/or Scholarship, as identified by information submitted as part of the scholarship application process.

(3) Interest in Youth Services, as evidenced by information submitted as part of the scholarship application process, including but not limited to work history, application essay, and applicant interview.

(4) Letters of recommendation

Fellowship applicants will be required to submit reference letters from three persons who are able  to judge revious accomplishments and to discuss potential professional contributions in the field of youth services.

Scholarship applicants will also be required to submit an essay indicating expected benefits of the program in relation to their career goals. They will be asked to indicate how their background, coupled with prior work and/or life experience, makes them a preferred candidate for a scholarship.

It is anticipated that interviews will be conducted with selected applicants in December 2008 and that scholarships will be awarded by December 31, 2007. Screening and selection of candidates will be conducted by the Fellowship Directors in mid-December 2007. Students must be able to begin the program on January 14, 2008, the first day of spring classes.

The School of Library and Information Science subscribes to the Kent State University Affirmative Action Program and therefore pledges that its policies and practices provide to all persons, especially women and minorities, equal opportunity for education, employment, and for greater responsibility and remuneration. The University and the School are committed to the principle of equal integration for all. The School will take steps to ensure equitable access and participation in the scholarship program as a part any federal regulations which address: gender, race, national origin, color, disability or age.

Application Procedure

Scholarship applicants must both apply for admission to the School (#1 below) and submit an application for a scholarship (#2 below).

#1: Admission to the School

If you are a current SLIS student applying for a scholarship, this is not required. Skip to #2: Scholarship Application.

The admission process is the same for all applicants to the School. Regular admission is granted to applicants who have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, or another master's degree with a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Application procedures are outlined on the School's web page. Students must apply for admission at the same time as they apply for a scholarship.

#2: Scholarship Application

The following materials must be submitted separately to SLIS and directed to:

          Michelle Baldini
          Grant Coordinator
          IMLS Scholarships
          School of Library and Information Science
          314 Library
          Kent State University
          Kent, OH 44224
 
          ATTN: IMLS Scholarships

(1) Letter from the applicant

Letter must formally state that you are applying for a scholarship, that you are aware of the requirements for scholarship students and agree to meet them, and that you are committed working in a library as a youth services librarian as part of the mandated the service expectations.

(2) Essay

–The essay must address expected benefits of the program in relation to your career goals and leadership philosophy.

--Indicate how your background, coupled with prior work and/or life experience, makes you a preferred candidate for a scholarship.

--Finally, express your interest in youth services and affirm your commitment to working in a public library after completing the degree.

--The essay is to be no more than two pages.

--This essay is not the same as your "Statement of Career Goals" (submitted with your application to the School). This essay must address the points outlined above.

 (3) Letters of recommendation

–Please list the names and contact information for the individuals who provided letters of recommendation letters as part of your application to the School.

–No actual letters of recommendation are to be sent as part of the scholarship application.

(4) Biographical Sketch

The Biographical Sketch should be identical to the one you submitted as part of your application to the School, but it also must accompany this scholarship application.

(5) Current Resume
 
Application Deadline
The scholarship application must be received by DECEMBER 12, 2007.

QUESTIONS

Address any questions about the scholarships to:

          Michelle Baldini, Grant Coordinator: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 330-672-4048