<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Join us for an interactive, virtual open house to learn more about the School Library Media Specialist option in the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at Kent State University. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>SLIS now offers multiple pathways for students to obtain the K-12 school library media specialist licensure. <i>And all courses can be completed online!</i></span><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Meghan Harper, Ph.D., SLIS Assistant Professor, and Rhonda Filipan, M.A., M.L.S., Academic Program Coordinator, will tell you all you need to know about the program including how to apply, what courses you’ll be taking, what kinds of jobs you can get and more. They also will answer your questions (in real time).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The open house takes place Wednesday, June 29, at noon. E-mail <a href="mailto:ksuslis@gmail.com">ksuslis@gmail.com</a> for instructions on how to participate. (Instructions will be sent on Monday, June 27.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#5577BB'>Kent State SLIS offers multiple pathways to licensure for school library media specialists</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:130%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td valign=top style='padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><br>The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at Kent State University now offers multiple pathways for students to obtain the K-12 school library media specialist licensure. And all courses can be completed online!</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:130%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><br>Students who already have a valid Ohio teacher’s license may enter the 39-hour course of study leading to the Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) degree and multi-age licensure in school library media. Graduates will be prepared to work in all types of libraries including school libraries.</span><span style='color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:130%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Students who already hold a teaching license may also enroll in a non-degree K-12 licensure-only program in SLIS. They would then be qualified for positions in a school library, but not in other types of libraries.</span><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Students who do not have an initial teaching license may enter a dual degree program to obtain a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and the MLIS-plus K-12 school library media licensure. This option confers the initial teaching license while also preparing students to work in all types of libraries. It includes professional educational requirements, library science and instructional technology courses.</span><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Previously, the school library licensure-only program and initial teaching licensure option were administered by the College of Education, Health and Human Services (EHHS). SLIS will now assume administrative responsibility for all the pathways to school librarian licensure. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>“This is a win-win situation for everyone, especially the students,” SLIS Assistant Professor Meghan Harper, Ph.D., said. “Now, instead of having very similar programs in two different colleges, SLIS will house all the pathways to the K-12 school library media licensure. Students who earn the MLIS <em><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>and</span></em> the K-12 licensure will have more career options available to them.” </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Dr. Harper added that the split program at Kent State was atypical compared to other institutions that offer this program in the United States. Kent State’s M.L.I.S. program has offered the school library media specialist licensure program for more than 40 years.</span><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Classes for the K-12 school library media specialist program are available completely online, making them accessible anywhere, anytime, which is especially important for full-time teachers who may be considering a career change. However, all students also will have to complete a practicum in a library. The average time to complete the program is two years when taking two courses per semester.</span><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>SLIS Professor Carolyn Brodie, Ph.D., said the role of the “school library media specialist” is much broader than what most people think, as it involves embracing and teaching with all the new technologies available.</span><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>“A school librarian works with students in a school library/media center, of course,” she said. “But the school library media specialist takes a very active role in teaching information literacy skills, collaborating with teachers on lessons, assisting with curriculum resources and integrating technology into the curriculum. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>“This professional also has an administrative role in managing all aspects of the school library such as developing the collection and making resources available to staff and students.”</span><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>For more information, visit </span><span style='color:black'><a href="http://www.slis.kent.edu/content/view/59/93/"><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>http://www.slis.kent.edu/content/view/59/93/</span></a></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> or contact Dr. Harper at <a href="mailto:sharper1@kent.edu">sharper1@kent.edu</a> <span style='display:none'>This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it </span>or 330-672-5849.</span><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:130%'><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Kent State’s School of Library and Information Science offers the only Master of Library and Information Science degree program in Ohio that is accredited by the American Library Association, and one of the nation’s few master’s degrees in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management. The school is recognized by <em><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>U.S. News and World Report</span></em> as one of the nation’s top 20 graduate schools, and its youth librarianship program is ranked 13th. It is one of the largest library schools in the country, with nearly 700 students enrolled. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>