School of Library and Information Science Awarded Grant From the 21st-Century Librarian Program

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“Youth Services, Librarians and Museums — A New Vision of Learning,” a $643,007 grant from the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, was awarded to the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS). The school is the only Ohio recipient and is one of only 43 institutions nationwide to receive an award.

Photo courtesy of SLIS

Jaime Declet, who received his Master's of Library and Information Science (MLIS) for Kent State in 2006, works with students at Lorain Public Library.

The grant will provide funds for the recruitment and education of 18 youth services librarians, whose training will include an emphasis on the use of museums with children and young adults.

Since 2003, the School of Library and Information Science has received four grants from the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, totaling over $2 million. The grant funding provides for tuition coverage, program and new curriculum development and technology. Previous grants have targeted minority student recruitment, preparing library professionals for urban school districts, and enhancing collaboration between librarians, teachers and museum professionals.

“These earlier grants have given us the opportunity to provide scholarships to students interested in school library media and young adult librarianship,” says Dr. Carolyn S. Brodie, professor of library and information science. “Our goal now is to integrate involvement with museums and other cultural organizations into librarian education.”

Jaime Declet received his Master’s of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from Kent State in 2006. While he was working at the Cleveland State Fine Arts Library, Declet’s supervisor urged him to consider the master’s program at Kent State, which was recruiting Latino students for the first IMLS grant.

“All of my tuition was covered through this funding,” says Declet. “I initially worked in bilingual librarianship for Lorain Public Library. Throughout Ohio, we have great need for trained, Spanish speaking librarians to assist all ages of this group.”

Brodie and Dr. Greg Byerly, associate professor of library and information science, partnered in the writing and implementation of the four grants awarded to date. In addition, Dr. Meghan Harper, assistant professor of library and information science, and Dr. Yin Zheng, associate professor of library and information science, have each worked with Brodie and Byerly on the IMLS grants

“The School of Library and Information Science has a strong and vital relationship with the IMLS,” says Byerly. “Their funding resources, especially since the involvement of Laura Bush, have allowed us to explore and develop new and relevant ways of preparing library professionals for meaningful work in this new century.”