March 2019

Greetings from the Graduate
Student Advisory Council (GSAC)

Hello all. I cannot believe it is already March! This semester is flying by. I don’t know about the rest of you, but it has been pretty stressful for me. For many of us, this is midterms or even finals (for those in 10 week courses), so I figure this is a good time to remind you to take a moment to breathe. Self-care is really important but is often forgotten when we get busy with school or work. We included some helpful self-care resources in this newsletter. We also wanted to extend an invite to join us for a coffee (or tea) break on Friday, March 15th. As always, feel free to reach out if you need anything. Keep working hard!

Haley Shaw
President, Graduate Student Advisory Council

For more information or opportunities to serve with GSAC, please contact Haley Shaw at hshaw9@kent.edu

Join the Student ALA Chapter

Did you know that membership in the ALA Student Chapter at Kent State is free? Members receive exclusive notice about scholarships and other opportunities that can help your career in the future! The majority of our events are held virtually, making it accessible to all iSchool students. Join us for the chance to network with your peers, gain new skills, give back, and become familiar with professional organizations. Visit https://alastudentchapterksu.wordpress.com/join/.

For more information contact Chapter President Jacquie Kociubuk at jkociubu@kent.edu

Brittany Hujar, MLIS and MA Candidate

Brittany is currently in her 5th semester at the iSchool pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science in addition to her program for a Master of Arts in Art History.

What is your academic background and what are you doing in your programs?

“I have a B.A. in Art History from San Diego State University. I am finishing up my Masters in Art History here at Kent. I am defending my thesis in the beginning of April and plan on graduating at the end of this semester. My specialization in the iSchool is archives/digital preservation.”

Tell us about some of your academic interests.

“My interests are in Japanese art and photography. My thesis explores three different series of photographs by Japanese photographer Kozo Miyoshi. I analyze how each series signifies water as metaphor for life and death through his landscape photographs of the Arizona desert and the destroyed Japanese landscape caused by the 2011 tsunami. I am also interested in moving image and audiovisual archives.”

Can you tell us about research you do and any awards you have received?

“Last semester I received the Graduate Student Senate research award, which allowed me travel to The Center for Creative Photography (CCP) at the University of Arizona in Tucson. While I was there, I had the opportunity to research the entire photography collection of Kozo Miyoshi. I was also able to connect with the archivist and librarian as well as see the archive. The CCP opened up opportunities to connect with the artist himself, and I also applied for one of their research fellowships. It was overall an amazing experience. I will be presenting my research at the Graduate Research Symposium in April. After completing my thesis, I hope to publish my research in academic journals, such as Exposure.’”

Do you have any advice for your fellow students?

“Network as much as you can and gain plenty of experience while you are in school!”
 

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

Book Signing with P. Craig Russell and Galen Showman

On Thursday, February 28th, artists P. Craig Russell and Galen Showman came to the iSchool for a book signing to celebrate the release Russell’s graphic novel adaptation of Lois Lowry’s classic YA book, The Giver. The bookstore provided books for purchase on-site, including The Giver graphic novel, and Showman and Russell’s other well-known works and adaptations. Original art from the graphic novel was also on display in the RCLC for visitors to admire.

  

Left: Russell shakes hands with a fan. Right: Visitors view original art from The Giver.
 

Writing Opportunity! Call for Volunteers:

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.

News from the MUSE Lab

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.

Click here to download the NEO-RLS CE Guide: Winter/Spring 2019 CE Guide (PDF), which lists all trainings and webinars through June 30, 2019.  It is organized chronologically, by Track, Location, and Live Webinars. Learn about important issues libraries face in Northeast Ohio. iSchool students are provided with a Gold Membership to NEO–RLS. Contact NEO for more information on how to activate this membership at https://neo–rls.org/
 

ALA/OLC Connection

More details coming soon!

Don’t forget! As an iSchool student, you can join both ALA and OLC for only $42 at https://www.ala.org/cfapps/jntapp/index.cfm?urlcode=ST-OH. Benefits of OLC membership include professional development opportunities (including a discounted public librarian certification), regular updates on exciting library-happenings and news, and discounts at conferences and events. For more information about the joint ALA/OLC membership program and other joint state library memberships, visit http://www.ala.org/aboutala/joint-membership-program.

Questions? Contact your OLC Student Representative Sarah Myers at smyers56@kent.edu.