Greetings from the Graduate
Student Advisory Council (GSAC)
Hello all! I hope you had a wonderful spring break. I spent my spring break in Athens, Greece doing a study abroad class (did you know you can do that in Grad School?!). Spending time traveling is one of my favorite things to do and I will jump at the chance. Be it for a class, a conference, or just a vacation, I am ready to pack my bags and take on a new adventure. This study abroad class was definitely a rewarding experience but I’m ready to get back into the swing of things and I hope you are too. Make sure you get out and enjoy the sunshine (even if that means moving your laptop outside for a few hours to do some readings). Happy Spring!
Haley Shaw
President, Graduate Student Advisory Council
For more information or opportunities to serve with GSAC, please contact Haley Shaw at hshaw9@kent.edu
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
NEO-RLS Critical Conversations Conference
Thursday, April 4th, 9am-4pm in Twinsburg, OH
The theme for this day-long conference is Mental Health Awareness: Libraries Create Safe Zones for Customers and Staff. Visit the NEO-RLS event page for more information, and see below for how you can attend as a student!
Volunteer Day at Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank
Saturday, April 6th, 1-3pm in Cleveland, OH
Love to give back? So does the ALA Student Chapter! Help us sort books while meeting fellow students and friends. Spots are limited, please reserve today.
Career Development and Mentorship
Tuesday, April 9th, 7-8pm EST
Join the ALA Student Chapter as we talk with Lateka Grays and Dom Borteaux about how to manage your professional growth and the benefits of having a mentor! Event takes place virtually, all are welcome. Email jkociubu@kent.edu for more information.
ACRL iSchool Reception
Thursday, April 11th, 7-8:30pm at Sausalito on 9th in Cleveland, OH
Join current students, alumni, and faculty for an evening networking event with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Conference attendance at ACRL is not required. Please RSVP by Monday, April 8th to smolina2@kent.edu. See flyer below for more information!
2019 Ohio Museum Association Annual Conference
Sunday & Monday, April 14th-15th in Akron, OH
See OMA Annual Conference website for more information.
Free NLNO & Central Ohio Libraries Event
Friday, April 19th, 10am-4pm in Columbus, OH
Tour OCLC and network with peers over lunch before visiting either the The Ohio State University Thompson Library or the Columbus Metropolitan Library (Main Library). You do not want to miss this exciting event. Register now to reserve your spot, only a few remain! Email Christina Rodriques (rodriquc@oclc.org) with questions.
iSchool Annual Celebration of Student Success
Thursday, April 25th, 6-8pm in 330 University Library
Celebrate student success at the iSchool with a formal program to award students and an alumni of the year! Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. Join us in the iSchool lobby (near the elevators on the third floor of the library).
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Join the ALA Student Chapter
Applications are now open for ALA Student Chapter leadership positions for next year. All positions are open, no experience necessary, and all work occurs virtually! Nominate yourself today by filling out this short form by Sunday April 21st at 11:59pm. The new 2019-2020 leadership board will be announced at the end of the month. For more information email jkociubu@kent.edu.
Not a member yet? The ALA Student Chapter is free! Join us for the chance to network with your peers, gain new skills, give back, and become familiar with professional organizations at https://alastudentchapterksu.wordpress.com/join/
For more information contact Chapter President Jacquie Kociubuk at jkociubu@kent.edu
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Connect with us.
There are many different ways to connect with the iSchool and fellow students at Kent State:
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Faculty Spotlight
Lala Hajibayova , PhD
Dr. Hajibayova joined the iSchool faculty in 2014. Read about her research areas and work below!
What is your current research? Are there any conferences you attend or committees you serve on?
Broadly, I’m interested in information representation, crowdsourcing and scholarly communication. I’m currently studying how individuals’ contextualized experiences of engaging with objects may potentially improve and/or enhance information representation and discovery. One of my current projects investigates characteristics of user-generated Goodreads reviews associated with STEM publications.
I usually attend the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) and the International Society for Knowledge Organization (ISKO) Conferences. I’m currently outgoing chair of the ASIS&T Special Interest Group (SIG) on Classification. I’m also serving as a review editor on the editorial board of the Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence Journal.
What courses do you teach? Please tell us about awards/recognition you have received.
I’m teaching courses in the area of information representation, organization, discovery and communication. I received several scholarships to pursue my graduate degrees in the United States, including the Edmond Muskie Graduate Program Scholarship and Indiana University Bloomington Dean’s Fellowship.
Please tell us a little more about yourself!
I’m from Eastern Europe, Azerbaijan. I love traveling, experiencing new cultures and spending time with my family (which is scattered all around the world)!
Do you have any advice to share with students?
I’d recommend taking an active part in iSchool programs and activities. Even though we are predominantly online program, there are a lot of activities in which online students can engage, such as initiating meet-ups at local and national conferences, sharing experiences on online social media platforms with new incoming students, and so on.
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Highlighted Event
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News from the Reinberger Children’s Library Center & Marantz Picturebook Collection
Fellowship Opportunity:
Kent State University’s School of Information is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for two $1,500 research fellowships:
The Jacqueline M. Albers Guest Scholar in Children’s Literature Fellowship was endowed by iSchool alumna Jacqueline M. Albers to support a guest scholar who will study children’s literature using the collections in the Reinberger Children’s Library Center.
The Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz Fellowship for Picturebook Research, supported by Dr. Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz, encourages scholarly research on the study of picturebooks using the resources of the Marantz Picturebook Collection for the Study of Picturebook Art.
Each fellowship provides a stipend of $1,500 for outstanding scholars to spend approximately one week on-site, researching children’s literature, picture books, or ephemera related to picturebooks in the Reinberger Children’s Library Center and Marantz Picturebook Collection at the Kent State University School of Information in Kent, Ohio, U.S.A. Funds will be awarded after completion of the on-site research.
Visit https://www.kent.edu/iSchool/fellowships for more information. Applications must be submitted on the appropriate form (https://tinyurl.com/y9j46buz) no later than midnight on Monday, April 8, 2019. Winners will be announced via email on or before Friday, May 3, 2019.
Writing Opportunity:
The Reinberger Children’s Library Center is seeking volunteers from the iSchool to review children’s literature for its blog, found here. Please contact Michelle Baldini for more information.
Contact Michelle Baldini, Director of the Reinberger Children’s Library Center, at mbaldini@kent.edu for more information about the Reinberger and Marantz collections.
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Study Abroad
Are you interested in studying abroad? Visit the Education Abroad at https://www.kent.edu/EducationAbroad and select the program database to search for opportunities!
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News from the MUSE Lab
Two Culminating Experience project students prepare for their upcoming exhibition in the MuseLab by perfecting the lighting and prototyping elements of their exhibit. Visit their exhibit “Healing through Faith & Medicine: One Man’s Legacy” this summer at the MuseLab.
To explore how you might find your muse here, make an appointment to visit by calling 330-672-5846 or emailing kflatham@kent.edu.
Follow MuseLab on Facebook and Twitter for updates on exhibits and other news.
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OLC Connection
Attention iSchool Students:
Want to win a FREE OLC student membership?
Fill out the simple entry form at https://forms.gle/RUdkvW1BgLYQ9URo7
for your chance to win – it’s a $25 value!
Entries can be submitted from April 1-14; one winner will be selected at random.
You do not need to be an Ohio resident to enter – come one, come all
OLC provides networking and conference opportunities, professional development, discounted trainings, and many other perks. Visit olc.org to learn more.
Questions? Contact your OLC Student Representative, Sarah Myers at smyers56@kent.edu
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News from the Alumni Network
By Alexandra Bell
Hello from the iSchool Alumni Network! You are automatically included in this group and can connect with us even if you have not graduated and achieved alumni status yet. The Network is here for you! If you haven’t already and use it, open Facebook on your phone or computer and like us here. It’s easy, as I did earlier today, to share posts that resonate with you, and it is a fun way to stay informed and feel connected to fellow iSchool students. In addition to social media, we have plans for mentorship programs and opportunities, career advice and interview guidance, and digital and in-person events. Whether you have questions about your career path, you have ideas for what you want the Network to do, or you just want to learn more about others’ paths and make friends and connections, you have options; you can reach out to me and other iSchool Alumni Network Board members, or reach out to the Network as a whole via Facebook. Know that we are here cheering you on in your endeavors and wishing you a warm, happy spring!
Best,
Alex
Catherine Hakala-Ausperk, President chakalaausperk@gmail.com
Emmalee Coontz, Board Member ec27_kat@yahoo.com
Ugoma Gilbert, Board Member Ugilbert@kent.edu
Susan Yutzey, Board Member syutzey@columbus.rr.com
Alex Bell, Board Member bell.alexandra.s@gmail.com
Greg Stall, Board Member & Communications Officer grstall@gmail.com
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We’d love your input.
Received a recent recognition, scholarship, or award? Have an idea for our newsletter or wish to contribute yourself? Please contact Mallory McCorkhill at mmccork1@kent.edu. We’re looking forward to hearing from you! Current students, faculty, and alumni are all welcome contributors.
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