[OPLINLIST] Full-tuition Scholarships to Earn MLIS at Kent State!

[FILIPAN, RHONDA]

Youth Services, Librarians, and Museums -- A New Vision of Learning


SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE


BEGINNING SUMMER 2008   (Deadline:   April 1, 2008)


OVERVIEW


The 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. The only
residency requirements are four-week 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


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. 

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 either in a public library or as a librarian in a museum,
archives, historical society, or other cultural institutions, after
receiving their MLIS degree after graduating. 

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 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


The eighteen Scholarship students will come together to form a cohesive
group. They will take many of their courses together and they will
participate in various museum-related group activities during on-campus
summer sessions as well as the regular academic year. 

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
<http://www.slis.kent.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory
&id=44&Itemid=102>  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 

          attn: IMLS Museum 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 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
The scholarship application must be received by APRIL 1, 2008. 


QUESTIONS 


Address any questions about the scholarships to: 

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

 

--Rhonda

 

Rhonda S. Filipan

Academic Program Coordinator

School of Library and Information Science

Kent State University

330-672-0013

 

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