The School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University invites alumni, friends, students and members of the university community to experience its new facilities — and newly renovated "old" facilities — at a special Grand Opening event on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, from 4 to 7 p.m. EST. The school is located on the third floor of the main University Library at 1125 Risman Drive, Kent, Ohio. Guests may park in front of the Kent Student Center or across the street on Summit Street. (See campus map for details and directions.)
RSVP by Nov. 27, 2013.
The Grand Opening event will feature a debut exhibit in the "MuseLab" gallery, children's book authors and illustrators in the expanded children's library areas, and a variety of hands-on demonstrations and interactive activities that allow guests to explore how the school is "transforming the global information environment" (SLIS mission statement). Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
At 5:30 p.m. Todd Diacon, Ph.D., Kent State Senior Vice President and Provost; Stanley Wearden, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Communication and Information; and Tomas A. Lipinski, J.D., LL.M., Ph.D, SLIS Director, will give brief remarks.
[SLIS renovation 2013] The 14,000-square-foot renovation more than doubles the school's space for teaching, research and student services. Construction began in December 2012 and was completed in August 2013. Read more about the renovation and construction:School of Library and Information Science to Double Its Space with Expansion.
The Dec. 4 Grand Opening activities and demonstrations include (but are not limited to) the following:
MuseLab & Museum Exhibition Space: Debut Exhibits
“For the Love of Religion: Exploring concepts of love embedded in the religious beliefs and practices of Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam,” by M.L.I.S. Student Emily O’Connor
“The Power of Pictures: 75 Years of the Caldecott Award”
The MuseLab gallery and exhibit space are made possible by a generous gift from the Reinberger Foundation.
Digital Laboratory
Alumni are invited to record memories of their classes or faculty at SLIS or of their careers.
Alumni and guests may bring a photo to be scanned on our state-of-the-art equipment.
Watch a demonstration of video digitization projects.
Reinberger Children’s Library Center
Angela Johnson, award-winning young adult books author: Book signing and chat with the author
Marantz Picturebook Collection
Vanita Oelschlager, children’s book author: Book signing and chat with the author
Kristen Blackwood, children’s book illustrator: Demonstration of linoleum block print cutting
Mike Blanc, children’s book illustrator: Demonstration of illustration techniques
Recognition of the first "Vanita Scholars" scholarship recipients
The new Reinberger/Marantz "Interactive Media Box"
Will Hillenbrand, award-winning children’s book illustrator and author: Demonstration of how he uses technology in his artwork
The expanded children's library space is made possible by a generous gift from the Reinberger Foundation.
The new "Pris and JDub's Historical Children's Book Nook"
Special collection of first edition Beatrix Potter books, Beswick/Royal Doulton figurines and more, from the collection of Akron Public Schools librarian, the late Margaret Alexander (donated by Susan Brown, Ph.D. [SLIS M.L.S. ’71])
The Historical Book Nook is made possible by a generous gift from Priscilla Drach of Silver Lake, Ohio.
Research Labs
Interactive demonstration of Internet search research
Display of student metadata projects
Demonstration of EMR and EHR software used in Health Informatics profession, including Veterans Administration Medical Centers EMR, Practice Fusion EHR, and others
Interactive demonstration of eye-tracking software used for website usability testing
Centers
Center for the Study of Information and Religion research demonstration and discussions
And more -- including a display of faculty and student research posters and live music provided by the KSU Jazz Combo, made up of School of Music students Jessica Stover, Max Michael and Ryan Critchfield.
RSVP by Nov. 27, 2013. Call 330-672-0003 or email fcunning@kent.edu with questions.
The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at Kent State University has the only American Library Association-accredited Master of Library and Information Science degree program in Ohio, offering courses in Kent, Columbus (State Library of Ohio) and through a fully online option. SLIS also offers a Master of Science in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management and participates in an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in the College of Communication and Information. The school is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the nation’s top 20 LIS graduate programs, with a youth librarianship program that is ranked 10th. It is one of the largest library schools in the country, with more than 650 students enrolled. For more information, visit www.kent.edu/slis.