[Students-l] Fellowship opportunity at The University of Iowa School of Library and Information Science

[Austin, Caroline A]

Education for the 21st Century Digital Librarian at the University of Iowa

 

The School of Library & Information Science invites applications to a special “digital libraries” track in its Master’s degree program.  This special track is designed to educate individuals for leadership careers as digital librarians and digital information specialists.  The curriculum offers a strong foundation of course work with significant emphasis on experiential learning through participation in mentor guided digital projects.  Ten students will be admitted with fellowships into this specialized Masters track in 2008. 

 

Admissions Procedure

 

Individuals seeking admission to the special Digital Libraries track with fellowships should follow the standard procedure for admission into the School’s Masters program in Library and Information Science, with exception of the specialized statement of purpose required for the Digital Libraries track.  Details on admissions procedure including deadlines may be obtained from the School’s web site or by contacting the School at 319‑335-5707.

 

Curriculum

 

Students in the Digital Libraries track will complete a 36-course credit education program.  A partial list of graduate courses related to digital libraries is given below. 

 

Introduction to Informatics

Conceptual Foundations

Computing Foundations

Cultural Foundations

Database Management Systems

Electronic Publishing

User Education: Multimedia

Digital Libraries

Human Computer Interaction

Search and Discovery Systems

Seminar in Digital Libraries and Services

 

In addition to formal course work, students will participate in ongoing projects related to digital libraries.  A “clinical rotation model” will be followed with each student participating in about two to three different projects over their program of study.  Mentors will guide student participation in selected projects. Biweekly seminar sessions will bring together fellows, mentors and project personnel for broad exposure to the variety of digital projects.

 

Students are invited to select from a rich variety of ongoing projects related to digital libraries and services.  These projects are being lead by experienced librarians, faculty and information technology personnel from the University of Iowa Libraries, Academic Technologies, International Writing Program, School of Library and Information Science and the UI WiderNet project.  Examples of projects welcoming student participation include those related to digitizing newspapers, digital preservation, recording oral histories of journalists, maintaining and extending public health information services, designing institutional repositories, and building “eGranaries” of digital collections for distribution to developing countries.  Details of these and other projects are available at www.slis.uiowa.edu/~imls/.  This web site also presents highlights of the participating units and mentors for these projects.

 

Fellowships

 

Ten half-time fellowships will be awarded for this Digital Libraries track in 2007 and also in 2008.  Each fellowship offers approximately $21,000 per calendar year.  In addition significant assistance will be provided for tuition.  These fellowships are funded through a grant to the School of Library and Information Science awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Studies.  Students will be expected to contribute 20 hours/week to project work.

 

Preferred background for applicants

 

We invite applications from students of all backgrounds.  Fellowships will be awarded to students who clearly articulate career interests and goals related to digital libraries and services.  Preference will be given to those who have background in computing/ information technology.  The School encourages interested individuals from Native American, African-American, and Latin American communities to apply for this unique educational opportunity. 

 

Contact Information

 

For more information about this program please contact the School at the following address or by phone or email.

 

Contact Address:

            

            School of Library and Information Science

            The University of Iowa

            Iowa City, Iowa

            52242

 

Contact Phone: 319-335-5707

Contact Email:  slis-dl at uiowa.edu

URL for School’s Web Site:  www.slis.uiowa.edu <http://www.slis.uiowa.edu/>  

URL for Masters degree Specialization in Digital Libraries:  www.uiowa.edu/~imls 

 

 

Kit Austin

Program Assistant

School of Library and Information Science

3088 LIB

Phone:  (319) 335-5709

 

 

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