Five students from the School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University traveled to Washington, D.C., in April 2011 as part of a federally funded grant program made possible through the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Maryanne B. Haller, of Strongsville; Jennifer Mille, of Brunswick; Steven Kemple, of Cincinnati; Maria Trivisonno, of Lyndhurst; and Maria Vega, of Sidney, Ohio, each received an IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century scholarship that was part of a $643,007 grant titled "Youth Services, Librarians, and Museums—A New Vision of Learning." The grant co-directors, SLIS Professor Carolyn S. Brodie, Ph.D., Associate Professor Greg Byerly, Ph.D., and Professor Yin Zhang, Ph.D., accompanied the students, along with Michelle Baldini, M.L.S., SLIS grant coordinator, and Kiersten F. Latham, Ph.D.,assistant professor.
In Washington, D.C., the students took part in a cohort experience of touring museums, libraries and historical landmarks. They also had the opportunity to interact with professionals in the field of museums and special librarianship. Scheduled tours included the Library of Congress and behind-the-scenes tours of several of the Smithsonian Institution libraries. Students also visited the Institute of Museum and Library Services, where they met IMLS Deputy Director Mary Chute and Senior Program Officers Mary Alice Ball, Kevin Cherry, Ph.D., and Anthony Smith.
The students are enrolled in the Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) program at Kent State and will complete the degree in 2011. The "New Vision" scholarship covers the cost of tuition up to 36 credit hours as well as the all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., as part of a special topics class. Recipients pursue coursework that includes an emphasis on the use of museums with children and young adults. They 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 institution, after receiving their M.L.I.S. degree.
Kent State has the only M.L.I.S. program in Ohio that is accredited by the American Library Association. The school is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the nation's top 20 graduate schools in the field, and its youth librarianship program is ranked 13th. It is one of the largest library schools in the country, with nearly 700 students enrolled.
Photo caption: SLIS "New Vision" scholarship recipients on the steps of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Front row (left to right): Steve Kemple (to the left of the railing); Maria Trivisonno (in striped top); Maryann Haller; Jennifer Mille; Maria Vega. Back row: Kiersten F. Latham, Ph.D. (to the left of the railing); Greg Byerly, Ph.D.; Carolyn S. Brodie, Ph.D.; Yin Zhang, Ph.D.; Michelle Baldini, M.L.S.
Media Contact: Flo Cunningham, 330-672-0003, fcunning@kent.edu