School of Library and Information Science

Ohio Libraries, Summer 2003 by Brodie, Carolyn S, Byerly, Greg

REINBERGER CHILDREN'S LIBRARY CENTER

The brand new and sparkling Reinberger Children's Library Center in the School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University will open for fall classes on the third floor of the University Library. A grand opening celebration hosted by the KSU President's office is slated for late September.

The Center was funded by a $240,000 gift from the Reinberger Foundation of Cleveland secured by Dr. Carolyn S. Brodie and Dr. Greg Byerly. It will be devoted to training librarians specializing in public library services for children and young adults and in school librarianship. The Center will serve as a totally integrated classroom and will include a children's and young adult resource area that will house more than 6,000 books, materials and resources to create a focal point for instruction in youth services librarianship. The 1,700 square-foot space will also include a wireless computer network installed with specialized software and other resources used in children's and school libraries. The design and intent of the facility will be unique among the nation's ALA-accredited library schools.

In addition, the Center will incorporate a videoconferencing facility that will permit students in various locations around Ohio to complete an MLIS degree through a combination of video and Web-based courses. The distance-learning capabilities of the Reinberger Children's Library Center will significantly expand the school's capacity to provide graduate education to future librarians - including students who are placebound and otherwise would not be able to pursue an advanced degree.

THE LITTLE ROSE CHILDREN'S LIBRARIANSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

SLIS has recently received funding from an anonymous donor for an annual scholarship in children's librarianship. "The Little Rose Children's Librarianship Scholarship" will provide $4,000 toward tuition and books for a student dedicated to a career in children's librarianship. Special consideration will be given to applicants who are single parents or sole family providers. Recipients will be expected to volunteer in the Reinberger Children's Library Center for a limited time during the course of their studies.

INSTITUTE FOR LIBRARY AND INFORMATION LITERACY

Kent State University has received $2 million in federal funds for a new library education project as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2003 signed into law by President George W. Bush. The funding created the Institute for Library and Information Literacy Education (ILILE).

ILILE (www.ats.kent.edu/ilile/) will provide leadership in developing coordinated collaboration among K-12 teachers and library and media specialists who are concerned with advancing library and information literacy in the school curriculum. Grant partners at the University include, the School of Library and Information Science, the College and Graduate School of Education, and Libraries and Media Services.

ILILE hosted a Statewide Summit Meeting April 8 - 9 to acquire practitioner input for plans and activities over the two-year course of the grant. The keynote speaker and facilitator was Dr. Michael Eisenberg from the University of Washington. For highlights from the Summit visit www.ats.kent.edu/ilile/events.html. The site includes a video of Congressman Regula's address to the group, photographs taken during the Summit and a list of participants. The next scheduled event is a collaboration workshop for school library media specialists and teachers in August featuring Dr. Ross Todd from Rutgers and Dr. Gail Bush from Dominican University.

BY CAROLYN S. BRODIE

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE AND

GREG BYERLY

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE

Carolyn S. Brodie is an associate professor at the Kent State University School of Library & Information Science. She can be reached at cbrodie@kent.edu or (330) 672-2782. Greg Byerly is also an associate professor at the Kent State University School of Library & Information Science. He can be reached at gbyerly@kent.edu or (330) 672-2782.