| Youth Services, Librarians, and Museums Scholarship Information |
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Youth Services, Librarians, and Museums -- A New Vision of LearningSCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLEBEGINNING SUMMER 2008OVERVIEWThe Kent State University School of Library and Information Science has received federal funding for the recruitment and education of eighteen youth services librarians whose training will include an emphasis on the use of museums with children and young adults.
Scholarship students will receive tuition scholarships and will be able to complete their MLIS degree with a specialization in youth services librarianship and an emphasis on the use of museums with children and young adults.
This program will permit students to complete their degrees through a combination of two four-week summer sessions (Summer 2008 and Summer 2009) on campus in Kent, Ohio, and through web-based course offerings, using innovative teaching and learning tools during the regular academic year (2008-2009). There is no need or expectation for scholarship students to be on campus or in Kent during the academic year. Students will need to attend four-week summer sessions in both Summer 2008 and Summer 2009
For the purposes of these scholarships, definition of “museum” includes not only museums of all types, but also historical societies.
General Requirements for Scholarship Students
Scholarship students:
1. Must be admitted to the School of Library and Information Science’s Master's Program and able and willing to begin study in Summer 2008 (July 14–August 9, 2008).
2. Must be able and willing to take the courses prescribed for all scholarship students.
3. Must be able and willing to take the courses when they are provided, either in Kent (Summer 2008 & Summer 2009) or as online courses (Academic Year 2008-2009).
4. Must be able and willing to participate in a trip with all scholarship students to Washington D.C. in Summer 2009 (expenses paid).
5. Must pledge to work as a librarian, either in a public library or as a librarian in a museum, archives, historical society, or other cultural institutions, after receiving their MLIS degree.
Academic Requirements for Scholarship Students
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.
Service Expectations
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
(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 and Museums, as evidenced by information submitted as part of the scholarship application process, including but not limited to work history, application essay, and applicant interview. Applicants must be able to show demonstrable and sincere interest in both youth services and museums.
(4) Letters of recommendation Fellowship applicants will be required to submit reference letters from three persons who are able to judge previous accomplishments and to discuss potential professional contributions in the field of youth services.
Essay
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 March 2008. In some cases, it may be possible to conduct these interviews by telephone. Screening and selection of candidates will be conducted by the Fellowship Directors.
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.
Schedule of Classes & Other Program Activities
Scholarship students will follow a prescribed course of study for youth librarianship with a special emphasis on museums.
Scholarship students will begin by completing selected courses and specialized workshops over a four-week, on-campus period in Summer 2008 (July 14–August 9).
During the 2008-09 academic year, students would be required to take selected courses online during the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters. There will be no expectation or need for scholarship students to be on campus or in Kent during this academic year. Students will register for and complete their required culminating experience in summer or fall 2009 and will graduate in December 2009. The culminating experience will be completed in library setting and the required project will be museum and youth related.
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
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 and follow the required procedures. 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 44242
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 either in a public library or as a librarian in a museum, archives, historical society, or other cultural institutions, after graduating 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 both youth services and museums and affirm your commitment to working in a 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
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