April 2021 at a Glance
- Join GSAC’s new social initiative, Community Circles
- iSchool “Flat Flashes” social media campaign
- GSAC looking for new officers
- Spring graduates: Be a part of our Virtual Yearbook!
- Alumni Spotlight: Jo Schofield, MLIS
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Greetings from the GSAC President
As we mark the one-year anniversary of the global pandemic, I think many people are feeling tired. If you’re struggling to cope with the challenges (large and small) of COVID-19, you’re not alone. Be sure to take time for yourself and seek support, as needed.
There are signs of hope on the horizon. The weather is warming up; COVID-19 vaccines are available at the Kent State Field House and the university is planning some in-person commencement ceremonies.
If you’d like a fun way to meet other iSchool students without the formalities, check out GSAC’s new Community Circles. We are in the process of matching students with interest areas, which range from public librarianship and UX to parenting and film appreciation.
I hope you’ll join us for a GSAC Happy Hour on April 8th and our general meeting on April 22nd. Enjoy the final weeks of the semester!
Lauren Zollinger
President, iSchool Graduate Student Advisory Council
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We’re Seeking New Officers!
 Are you interested in getting more involved in your program, gaining leadership experience, and serving the iSchool? The iSchool Graduate Student Advisory Council will be holding its general election in May and has many officer and representative positions open. If you are a current or incoming iSchool student and wish to nominate yourself for the open positions, please complete this form by Sunday, May 2nd, 2021 at 11:59 pm EST to be considered for a position.
Community Circles
GSAC is excited to launch a new social initiative to connect students within the iSchool. We are in the beginning stages of piloting Community Circles, where iSchool students can come together to share ideas, advice, and experiences. Community Circles will be launched through private communities created in Google Currents and Google Meet. If you are interested in being a student participant in this new and exciting program, please fill out this form.
#iSchoolFlashes “Flat Flash” Project
 In an effort to see more faces of the Kent State University iSchool family, GSAC is inviting all iSchool students, faculty and alumni to print out a “Flat Flash” and share a photo of it on social media using the hashtag #iSchoolFlashes. We’d love to see your smiling face at home, work or beyond!
You can choose from two versions: Ready to print or ready to color (to add your own flair). Follow this link to our blog where you can find and download your choice of Flat Flash. We look forward to seeing some of our iSchool peers!
If you’d prefer not to post the photo from your account, feel free to send it to GSAC VP of Communication Olivia Wood at owood2@kent.edu, and we’ll post it from the GSAC account. (Let us know if you’d like us to include your full name or first name).
Be sure to follow and tag @KentGSAC on Twitter or Instagram (students, alumni and faculty), or join our LinkedIn (students, faculty and alumni) or Facebook group (students only) to join the fun!
Artwork courtesy of the KSU Flashes Forever Hub.
Have you visited the GSAC Website lately? Below are a few of the resources we provide to students:
If you’re interested in writing for GSAC’s blog, contact the VP of Communications Olivia Wood at owood2@kent.edu. We’re excited to hear from you!
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
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MuseWeb showcases research and applications of digital practice for cultural, natural and scientific heritage. The conference will be held April 5th-30th, 2021. For additional information and to register, please visit this link.
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This set of online sessions will focus on the issues, fields, and elements to be considered when cataloging periodicals. The event will be held on Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 from 1:30-3:30pm EST. For more information, please visit this link. When registering, select Kent State – iSchool as the organization. Registration is free for iSchool students.
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Current iSchool students are invited to join us for an informal happy hour on Thursday, April 8th, 2021 at 8:00pm EST (via Zoom). Grab a beverage and stop by to meet classmates, de-stress and trade tips on navigating the iSchool experience.
For the Zoom link, please contact Natalie Groff at ngroff3@kent.edu, VP of Student Outreach.
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Are you interested in learning from children’s library staff across the world? If so, join the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), and the Kent State University ALA Student Chapter for a special event on April 9th, 2021 at 11:00am EST. During this session, attendees will have an opportunity to connect with youth library staff from Germany, Norway, and Russia. To register, visit this link.
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This set of online sessions will focus on the issues, fields, and elements to be considered when cataloging periodicals. The second session in the series will focus on the key MARC fields frequently used in serials cataloging. The event will be held on Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 from 1:30-3:30pm EST. For more information, please go here. When registering, select Kent State – iSchool as the organization. Registration is free for iSchool students.
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The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) 2021 Conference will be held virtually from April 13th-16th, 2021. For additional information, visit https://conference.acrl.org/.
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April 14th-16th
AIIP 2021
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AIIP 2021, the virtual conference for independent information professionals, will be held April 14th-16th. For additional information and to register, please go here.
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This set of online sessions will focus on the issues, fields, and elements to be considered when cataloging periodicals. The third session in the series will focus on the key changes that the new cataloging standard, RDA (Resource Description and Access), brings to serials cataloging considerations. The event will be held on Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 from 1:30-3:30pm EST. For more information, please go here. When registering, select Kent State – iSchool as the organization. Registration is free for iSchool students.
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GSAC will meet via Zoom on Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 at 8:00pm EST to discuss ongoing plans, events and projects. All current and incoming iSchool students are invited to attend. We hope you’ll join us to meet other students and learn about opportunities to get involved. Please email Lauren Zollinger at lzolling@kent.edu for the link to the meeting.
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April 27th-29th
Adobe Summit
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Adobe Summit 2021 is free virtual event running from April 27th to 29th, 2021. The event will help attendees expand skills, engage with other Experience Makers, and be inspired to create exceptional experiences.
For more information and registration, go to https://summit.adobe.com/na/.
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IAC21 is a 3-day event about all things information architecture. With pre-conference workshops (held April 19 to April 23, 2021) and three days of talks (held April 28 to April 30, 2021), you’ll walk away with practical takeaways and inspiration. The event will be hosted virtually. To learn more and register, visit https://www.theiaconference.com/iac21-emergence/tickets/.
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Planning, consistent enforcement of policies, training, support from supervisors and managers, and applied technology can work together to protect library employees, customers, vendors, and visitors as well as your workplace’s property. This session will be held on April 29th from 2:00-3:30pm EST. Attendees will learn the following learning objectives: Ensure everyone on the staff knows what to do in emergencies; lower the drama of difficult encounters with library customers; and develop consistent responses to challenging customer behavior. For more information, please go here.
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Join fellow information professionals for a half-day interactive virtual event, held April 29th from 11:00am to 4:00pm EST, on information innovation and technology trends. Students can register for $19. For more information and to register, go here.
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Spring 2021 Virtual Yearbook
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GSAC would like to congratulate all iSchool students completing the program this semester. To celebrate, GSAC and the ALA Student Chapter invite graduates to be a part of our Spring 2021 Virtual Yearbook. If you’d like to participate, please reach out to Lauren Zollinger ( lzolling@kent.edu). All submissions are due by Friday, May 7th, 2021 at 11:59pm EST. |
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Scholarships and Fellowships
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The Graduate Student Senate of Kent State University will be offering upcoming scholarships and awards for eligible students, such as the Domestic Travel Award, Research Award, and others. Multiple due dates are listed throughout the page.
The American Library Association has many scholarships available for students enrolled in an ALA-accredited MLIS program. Some scholarships listed on the site include General Scholarships, Specialty or Practice Area, and Underrepresented Groups. Click the link above to access more information. Multiple due dates are listed throughout the page.
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 Jo Schofield
Jo graduated from the KSU iSchool in 2012 and is a doctoral student at the University of Dayton. Jo is currently serving as the Branch Manager at the DeHoff Memorial Branch of the Stark County District Library in Ohio. Jo recommends that iSchool students “Get involved, meet your peers, and stay current on emerging research and best practices. Listen to others and be part of professional conversations. Your voice is powerful—use it!” Excellent words to remember while finishing out the semester! Thank you, Jo! |
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Interested in becoming a member of the Kent State ALA Student Chapter? Membership in the ALA Student Chapter is open to any current iSchool student at Kent State University. Though membership in the American Library Association is encouraged, it is not a requirement for a general member. There are no dues for the student chapter. To learn more about the student chapter, click here. Please fill out this short survey to request membership.
For more information, contact Chapter President Raychelle Steele at rsteele7@kent.edu.
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About GSAC
The Kent State University iSchool Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC) works to enrich graduate student life through social events and professional development opportunities. We serve as a bridge between the students and the faculty and administration of the Kent State University iSchool. Membership in GSAC at Kent State University is open to any and all students enrolled in the iSchool at Kent State University.
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