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The iSchool GSAC’s
April 2020 Newsletter

Volume 7, Issue 4
 

Greetings from the Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC)


These past few weeks have been very challenging and stressful as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During our last month of Spring semester, I hope that everyone stays healthy and practices social distancing to the best of their abilities.

Despite the difficulties and massive lifestyle changes, it has been comforting to be able to connect with other iSchool students. I am looking forward to building a supportive community with the launch of GSAC’s new Facebook Group. All current iSchool students are welcome to join this group by clicking here.

Please feel free to reach out to me at jstone36@kent.edu with any questions or concerns you may have as an iSchool student during this time. My fellow GSAC officers and I would be happy to help as much as we can.
 
Julia Stone
President, iSchool Graduate Student Advisory Council

 

Calendar of Upcoming Events

 

GSAC’s April General Meeting
Tuesday, April 7, 8:00pm EST – Online via Zoom 
All current iSchool students are invited to attend. Please email Brenna Hubschman at bhubschm@kent.edu for the link to the meeting.

GSAC Virtual Happy Hour 
Sunday, April 5, 7:00pm EST – Online via Zoom 
Current iSchool students are invited to join GSAC for a Virtual Happy Hour! In this informal conversation, get to know your classmates and share tips and tricks for navigating the iSchool experience (and life in quarantine). Check out the Facebook event hereContact Lauren Zollinger (lzolling@kent.edu) for the Zoom link. 

ALA Speaker Series – Librarians Run the Gamut
April 3, 14, and 28 – Online via Zoom
The KSU ALA Student Chapter Spring Speaker Series features librarians from a variety of backgrounds, who will be sharing their experiences in the field. Learn about youth services, technology, libraries in rural, suburban, and urban environments, and more! For more information, email Chapter President Raychelle Steele at rsteele7@kent.edu and check out their Facebook page here.

ALA Student Chapter Officer Election
Sunday, April 26
Applications are now open for leadership positions in the Kent State ALA Student Chapter. All positions are open, no experience necessary, and all work occurs virtually! Nominate yourself today by filling out this short form

Virginia Hamilton Conference Cancelled
The conference, scheduled for April 30, has been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. Click here for more information.

Connect with us:

There are many different ways to connect with the iSchool and your peers at Kent State:

Follow the iSchool on Facebook and LinkedIn
Subscribe to the iSchool’s listServ
Join the student’s open discussion board
Follow the ALA Student Chapter on Facebook, Instagram, and their website
Follow the Reinberger Children’s Library Center on Facebook

GSAC is on Facebook!

Current iSchool students are invited to join the iSchool GSAC’s new Facebook group. This Facebook group is a place for current iSchool students to discuss their experiences, seek and share advice related to the program, and learn about virtual and in-person opportunities for networking and professional development.

Join the group here!

ALASC Officer Election 

Applications are now open for the Kent State 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 26 at 11:59pm EST. The new 2020-2021 leadership board will be announced the first week of May. For more information email rsteele7@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 here.
 

iSchool Alumni Network News

A number of KSU alumni served on the American Library Association Book Award Committees this year: Bill Kelly (RUSA Notable Book Council), Jo Schofield (RUSA Reading List Council), Rebecca Roberts (Rainbow Book List Committee), and Tiffeni Fontno (Rise: A Feminist Book Project) worked to highlight some of 2020’s most exceptional books. Read more about ALA’s book awards here.

Keep an eye on the iSchool Alumni Network’s Facebook Page and GSAC’s blog for more alumni updates!

Student Resources

Joint ALA/OLC Membership

Did you know that as a student, you can join both the American Library Association and the Ohio Library Council for $42? The cost of a student membership is regularly $39 for ALA and $25 for OLC. There are many
benefits of membership including networking opportunities, regular updates on news and events, professional development opportunities, and reduced registration at events.

You can join ALA & OLC by clicking here

For more information about the joint membership program, please click here

Questions? Please email OLC Student Representative Brenna Hubschman at bhubschm@kent.edu

The Ohio Library Council’s Membership Committee is offering Kent State iSchool students the chance to win a free one-year OLC student membership!  

A $25 value, this membership will provide you with a subscription to Access, OLC’s newsletter, a discounted rate to the Convention & Expo in October, discounted professional development opportunities, as well as networking and leadership opportunities. To enter the giveaway raffle, please fill out this form by April 15, 11:59pm EST. One winner will be randomly selected.

Please contact student representative Brenna Hubschman (bhubschm@kent.edu) with any questions

NEO-RLS Gold Membership


Currently enrolled iSchool students are eligible for a FREE Gold Membership to the Northeast Ohio Regional Library System. A Gold Membership provides free access to NEO-RLS’s live workshops and webinars as well as their archived webinars. NEO-RLS’s Gold Membership provides students with professional development in a wide variety of areas while interacting with library professionals in our region as well as with library professionals in the state and across the nation. 
 
Sign up by visiting the NEO-RLS website and creating a free account under “Login”

News from the Reinberger Children’s Learning Center & Marantz Picturebook Collection


The Reinberger Children’s Library Center is closed due to COVID-19, but the RCLC has many online and virtual projects coming soon, including new posts on their blog, an Alma Flor Ada Ephemera Virtual Exhibit, and more.
 

10 Virtual Storytime Resources for Children

The RCLC compiled a list of free online storytime resources that are perfect for families practicing social distancing. Click here to explore these read-aloud and storytelling resources.

Call for Reinberger Reviewer Videos

Due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and the current closure of the Kent State campus, the Reinberger will no longer be filming kids book reviews onsite. However, parents and caregivers are welcome to send in video clips of their children reviewing their favorite books at home. If your child is interested in participating, please fill out this interest form. For tips on how to film a book review, please read this blog post.

GSAC is seeking blog writers!

Have you recently received a scholarship or award? Do you know of any job opportunities or upcoming events? Want to share a professional experience or advice? GSAC’s website gsac.ischool.kent.edu is currently seeking contributions. Take advantage of the opportunity to share your work and gain writing experience! Content ideas include:

  • Conference and professional development write-ups
  • Advice or tips for iSchool Students
  • Scholarship, grant, and funding opportunities
  • Graduate research opportunities
  • Professional experience/activities write-ups
  • Alumni news
  • Student, Faculty, and Staff Spotlights


If you would like more information or to share your ideas for future blog posts, please contact VP of Communications Brenna Hubschman at bhubschm@kent.edu

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Produced by the iSchool Graduate Student Advisory Council. 
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[April, 2020]