Collaborating for Inquiry-based Learning

For all of my WVVA Cohort friends and students, I wanted to share the August 2011 publication of our book by Libraries Unlimited, an imprint of ABC-CLIO. 
Dr. V.
 

Happy Holiday!

Not only do I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Joyful Season, and Happy New Year but also I want to congratulate our cohort students who will receive their MLIS on December 13.  :)

Some began the program fall, 2007; others came on board during 2008; more enter each semester. The program design is for 4 years; however, many finish in 2 or 2 1/2 years. All classes are distance education courses yet students do not feel alone. There is a strong sense of connection between professors and students.

Classes are both synchronous and asynchronous. No cohort student is required to come to campus but for one's personal enrichment, at least one trip to USC Columbia helps create a sense of place.

As several cohort students enter their chosen professional track, there are others out there considering a school for that all important Masters. Let that school be the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina! 

October/Fall 2010 WVVA Cohort Events!

Happy October, WVVA Cohort!

The air is cooling, the leaves are falling and the time for giving back to the community is upon us. Do you have a few moments of spare time this Autumn? Please help your WVVA Cohort classmates and LISSA make a difference in the lives of folks all over Virginia, West Virginia and South Carolina by joining in these events!

Saturday, October 30, 2010: Don your best un-scary Halloween costume and join Eileen Marshall and other Cohort members as we read aloud to kids in Fredericksburg, Virginia. We’ll be working with kids and families from 1pm – 3pm in the theater, so please plan to arrive around 12/12:30pm to help set up. We’ll be reading, playing games and passing out treats. Please RSVP to Aileen Marshall marshaam@email.sc.edu by Friday, October 29, 2010 if you’d like to help out. Many hands make for an un-scary good time!

Happening Now: It’s time for another Mildly Attractive Men of LISSA calendar, and 2011 is going to be better than ever! The theme is "Album Covers." We need someone to portray “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince” on the “Purple Rain” cover, and we still need someone to help out with the Bruce Springsteen cover for “Born in the USA.” Get involved, WVVA! All interested gentlemen please contact Chess Schmidt schmidcp@email.sc.edu as soon as possible, as the photo shoots have already begun.

You Can Help! : “The Bookshelf Project,” began as a class project and is spearheaded by a student on campus at U SC. The goal is to collect new and used books of all kinds (children’s, books for adults of all kinds, large print, bilingual, audio books, etc.) to be distributed to those in need in rural areas of South Carolina. The Project is going into homes that are being rebuilt by another charity organization and bringing with them a bookshelf and a minimum of 20 books for each member of the recipient family. That’s a base of 140 books for a family of 7! Whew! You can help. Next time you attend a Cohort event, please consider bringing new or gently used materials to be shipped to South Carolina to help in this endeavor. A new study shows that every 25 books in the home can extend the academic career of a child by two years. The Project plans to distribute 35,000 materials next summer. Let’s give them a boost! Look for more information to come on this initiative!

Give Me 10! : Our Fredericksburg event kicks off the start of a brand new WVVA Cohort community service project called “Give Me 10.” Here’s the plan: Volunteer for 10 hours in any capacity in a library, school or cultural institution in your community. Write a short blog about it, including a photo of you or your group at the site if it’s allowed – and email it to Sara Mason at masonsc@email.sc.edu. These items will be posted to a dedicated blog, along with a running tally of volunteer hours logged so far by WVVA Cohort students. We’ll celebrate in some way in May 2011. Please watch for the release of the URL, and please “Give Me 10!”

Cocky's Reading Express: Please read the text below, forward to me by Jessica Kohout, who works with Cocky's Reading Express! This wonderful program has the chance to compete for a $50,000 grant through the Pepsi Refresh Project. Read on...

In regards to the Pepsi Refresh Project, I think the plan is that we will post how to vote for CRE or "The Reading Express" on Twitter and Facebook (I think we will embed a link on FB). Although WV/VA students may not be able to come on a CRE trip, perhaps they would like to support CRE and vote so that Cocky's Reading Express can get the $50,000 grant. Voting is from November 1st-30th.

Students can "Like" CRE on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CockysReadingExpress.com and follow CRE on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Cockyreads to receive updates and to eventually vote when it begins November 1st. We'll send out more information as time gets closer. : )

Please help Cocky's Reading Express to continue to reach their amazing goals! Contact Jessica Kohout jessica.kohout@gmail.com with questions.

And last but not least...

Homebound: Jenny Goulden, on campus in South Carolina, is heading up the LISSA Homebound Program! If you'd like to work with homebound patrons for your "Give Me 10" project, Jenny would be a great person to meet. All those interested should email Jenny off-list at LISSAhomebound@gmail.com. Thanks for all of your help!

I hope everyone is having a busy and productive semester. Thank you in advance for lending your time and talents to benefit those in need. Questions? Suggestions? Let me know via email, call or Facebook.

Best Wishes,

Sara Mason Rosensteel
masonsc@email.sc.edu
LISSA Secretary
WVVA Chair

October Conferences

I will be attending the VLA and VEMA conferences during the last part of October. Please come to my booth in the Exhibit Hall to (1) say hi if you are a graduate of the cohort or are a present SLIS student and (2) talk with me about our MLIS online, distance education program if you are a potential student who would like to get started ASAP on an MLIS!

I will be at Portsmouth, VA on Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22 for the VLA Conference.

I will be in Hampton, VA on Thursday, October 28 and Friday, October 29 for the VEMA Conference.

I look forward to reacquainting with SLIS Cohort WVVA graduates and to meeting potential students interested in a user friendly, rigorous but engaging MLIS program.

Fall Workshop

There will be an Internship Onsite at Waynesboro High School on Saturday, September 18, from 10 - 2 (or maybe a little later ;) ). See you there!

THS AND THAT

Saturday, July 24 was an especially nice onsite day because not often do veteran cohort members and new cohort students meet one another. However, since there were 2 workshops on the same day, we were able to share and network and even, socialize some. Thanks you to all who were there!

If you have a Facebook account, check our Facebook page from time to time. Sara Mason, LISSA secretary, has posted some great pictures from Saturday: SLIS WVVA Cohort group.

CELEBRATION!

Graduation Celebration for those graduating anytime in 2010

Waynesboro Country Club

Saturday, August 28 from 2 - 4 PM

The Cohort Is Well and Active!

Attending an ALA conference can be an awesome and overwhelming experience and it is nice to have fellow students with whom to share the first time. Here are a couple of pictures: (1)a Norfolk cohorter with the LISSA past president and (2) the wonderful ALA Exhibit Hall.

It has been over a month!

Now that we are into summer, we need to plan ahead.

1. Saturday, July 24 = Orientation for fall classes: to be held at Waynesboro High School, in Waynesboro, VA, from 10 - 4, with lunch
provided. See you there!

2. Saturday, July 24 - E-portfolio workshop at Waynesboro onsite: Waynesboro High School from 10 - 4, with lunch provided.

We will meet in the library on the second floor.

3. Saturday, August 28 = Graduation Celebration for those graduating anytime in 2010. Waynesboro Country Club from 2 - 4 PM

Now here is the most important part of the message: IF YOU HAVE NOT NOTIFIED DR. WALLACE THAT YOU WILL ATTEND ONE OF THESE, DO SO ASAP! EACH OF THESE IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR MLIS LIFE WITH SLIS. HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!

Graduation - May 7, 2010

USC Graduation for the MLIS was yesterday. We began the day with the Hooding Ceremony followed by a reception at Davis College followed by the commencement exercises at 3 PM. Our students were part of the first hooding ever by SLIS! A tradition has begun. :)

It was a lovely day, both weather and activities. Moving forward, we will have additional cohort students graduating at the summer commencement and winter and spring and ---. Each graduation will find cohort members in the commencement line because we continue to admit students to our online Masters of Library and Information Science program.

If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree and are considering the USC School of Library and Information Science, please contact Virginia Wallace at wallybug@bellsouth.net.

INTERVIEWS

50 Worst of the Worst (and Most Common) Job Interview Mistakes

Karen Burns, On Wednesday March 10, 2010, US News
You may have heard the horror stories--job hunters who take phone calls or text during an interview, or bring out a sandwich and start chomping, or brush their hair, or worse. You wouldn't do any of those things, would you? Of course not.

But there are tons of other job interview no-no's you may not have thought of. Or that you've forgotten. The job hunting trail is long and arduous, and a little refresher course can't hurt. So for your edification and enjoyment, here are 50 (yes, 50!) of the worst and most common job interview mistakes:
1. Arriving late.
2. Arriving too early.
3. Lighting up a cigarette, or smelling like a cigarette.
4. Bad-mouthing your last boss.
5. Lying about your skills/experience/knowledge.
6. Wearing the wrong (for this workplace!) clothes.
7. Forgetting the name of the person you're interviewing with.
8. Wearing a ton of perfume or aftershave.
9. Wearing sunglasses.
10. Wearing a Bluetooth earpiece.
11. Failing to research the employer in advance.
12. Failing to demonstrate enthusiasm.
13. Inquiring about benefits too soon.
14. Talking about salary requirements too soon.
15. Being unable to explain how your strengths and abilities apply to the job in question.
16. Failing to make a strong case for why you are the best person for this job.
17. Forgetting to bring a copy of your resume and/or portfolio.
18. Failing to remember what you wrote on your own resume.
19. Asking too many questions.
20. Asking no questions at all.
21. Being unprepared to answer the standard questions.
22. Failing to listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying.
23. Talking more than half the time.
24. Interrupting your interviewer.
25. Neglecting to match the communication style of your interviewer.
26. Yawning.
27. Slouching.
28. Bringing along a friend, or your mother.
29. Chewing gum, tobacco, your pen, your hair.
30. Laughing, giggling, whistling, humming, lip-smacking.
31. Saying "you know," "like," "I guess," and "um."
32. Name-dropping or bragging or sounding like a know-it-all.
33. Asking to use the bathroom.
34. Being falsely or exaggeratedly modest.
35. Shaking hands too weakly, or too firmly.
36. Failing to make eye contact (or making continuous eye contact).
37. Taking a seat before your interviewer does.
38. Becoming angry or defensive.
39. Complaining that you were kept waiting.
40. Complaining about anything!
41. Speaking rudely to the receptionist.
42. Letting your nervousness show.
43. Overexplaining why you lost your last job.
44. Being too familiar and jokey.
45. Sounding desperate.
46. Checking the time.
47. Oversharing.
48. Sounding rehearsed.
49. Leaving your cell phone on.
50. Failing to ask for the job.
Karen Burns is the author of the illustrated career advice book The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use, recently released by Running Press. She blogs at www.karenburnsworkinggirl.com.

JOB SEARCH & INTERVIEWS

For our Cohort students who are beginning the job hunt this spring, do not forget our www.libsci.sc.edu page with the wonderful Site Index. Under J, you will find a job hunt help section and within it the following interview questions are posted as the type you might face.

Frequently Asked Interview Questions
1. Describe your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Considering your education and work experience, why do you feel you are qualified for this job?
3. What do you see as the value of belonging to professional organizations?
4. Why did you apply for this job?
5. What is your philosophy of collection development?
6. Do you like working with people?
7. Do you have any experience with audio-visual materials?
8. Do you have any experience in setting up displays?
9. How do you feel that your education has prepared you for this job?
10. Where do you expect to be professionally in five years?
11. How would you handle a person who objects to a sex education book on the shelf?
12. How would you handle a question over the phone that you can't answer immediately?
13. Is there any time that you would refuse to answer a patronís request?
14. If we ask your present supervisor what your present strengths are, what would he/she say?
15. Why should we hire you?
16. Name two books you have read within the past two months and describe one of them as though you were recommending it to a patron to read. Why would they want to read it?
17. What qualities do you think we should look for in a prospective reference librarian?
18. Considering your working career, tell about the most stressful event you ever faced, and how you coped with it.
19. Picture this: It is 5:00 PM and you are relieving the day shift. You are the only reference librarian on the desk and the following are waiting for help. In what order would you answer them and why?
a. A young child with a homework assignment
b. A trivia question; the contest is on now.
c. A woman who has just read Jannette Daileyís latest book and wants a recommendation for a similar book
d. An elderly couple wanting advice on how to do their genealogy.
e. The city managerís office is on the telephone.
20. What did you do to prepare for this interview?
21. What is your style of leadership?
22. Describe your ideal job.
23. What was your most challenging supervisory experience?
24. What do you like most about archival work?
25. Describe differences among patrons in a public library, an academic library, and a special library.
26. If you were assisting a person at the reference desk and the telephone rang, what would you do?
27. After you have eliminated the backlog, how do you see this job as challenging to you? What will motivate you to come to work?
28. Why did you elect to attend the University of South Carolina?
29. Why did you choose librarianship as a career?
30. Can you tell us about a particularly tense or chaotic situation at the reference desk and how you handled the incident?
31. What would you do if you heard a staff member provide a patron with an incorrect answer?
32. Tell us about a team or group project you have worked on and how you have contributed to it.
33. Tell us about your experience with information technology.
34. Why are you interested in this particular career?
35. What strengths do you bring to a reference position and what areas would you like to improve?
36. What are the things you particularly like about your present job?
37. What was your most important work-related accomplishment in the past year?
38. What contributions could you make to our library?
39. How would you describe your management philosophy?
40. What type of management style do you prefer?
41. What sorts of people do you enjoy working with most?
42. What kinds of situations do you find stressful?
43. What would you do if you were at the desk and both the phones were ringing and there were three or four patrons already waiting and a demanding professor interrupted?
44. Outline your science background, including: science coursework, library school coursework in science reference, and science library experience.
45. What is your public service experience, including bibliographic instruction, reference desk, and collection development?
46. What is your knowledge and/or experience of library technology?
47. How does this position fit into the career path you have set for yourself?
48. Give us an example of a time in which you felt you were able to build motivation in your coworkers or fellow students in school.
49. Describe the most significant achievement or written project/presentation/report which you have had to complete.
50. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a librarian?
51. Give us an example you did in a former job that contributed to a teamwork environment.
52. What would you do if you were unsure of how to answer a reference question?
53. What are your current research interests?
54. The role of the reference librarian and the reference department has changed a lot in the past five years and will probably continue to change. How do you see reference service changing in the next five years?

Ready to Job Hunt?

For the WVVA Cohort MLIS graduates or almost-graduates with a focus on education, this site might be of some interest.

RE: UPCOMING WORKSHOP

If you are a WVVA Cohort student who plans to attend the Internship Workshop on Saturday, March 6, you need to contact Dr. Virginia Wallace ASAP: wallybug@bellsouth.net.

ATTN COHORT MEMBERS

UPCOMING INTERNSHIP WORKSHOP
DATE: SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2010
PLACE: WAYNESBORO HIGH SCHOOL
TIME: 10 AM - 3 PM (LUNCH PROVIDED)

UPCOMING E-PORTFOLIO WORKSHOP
DATE: SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
PLACE: WAYNESBORO HIGH SCHOOL
TIME: 10 AM - 3 PM (LUNCH PROVIDED)

UPCOMING COHORT CELEBRATION
DATE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010
PLACE: WAYNESBORO COUNTRY CLUB
TIME: 2 PM

What's ahead for 2010?

There are persons working diligently to get their admission packets ready in order to begin classes for fall 2010. If you would like to join them in our WVVA Cohort for fall 2010, go online http://www.libsci.sc.edu/ for the online application. Be certain to pay the $50 fee or the Graduate School does not recognize you as a serious applicant.

All of your information for admission consideration should be in by May 1. It takes time to process all of the sections and to get a decision on whether to admit or not. By working toward the deadline, you allow plenty of consideration time in order to attend our WVVA Cohort Orientation, held in Waynesboro, VA.

DATE FOR ORIENTATION: SATURDAY, JULY 24
LOCATION: WAYNESBORO HIGH SCHOOL
TIME: 10 AM - 3 PM (LUNCH PROVIDED)

Please contact me with questions: wallybug @bellsouth.net.
I'll do my best to help. :)

Looking toward the new year!

In 2010, the following dates will be of significance to those of you already in the WVVA Cohort online MLIS program:

Saturday, March 6
Internship Workshop
10 AM - 3 PM

Saturday, July 24
E-portfolio Workshop
10 AM - 3 PM

Saturday, August 28
Celebration for those graduating throughout 2010!

Holiday Happenings

The fall at the School of Library and Information Science has been a busy one. One key event has been the visit from the ALA review committee re our ALA-accreditation. This is a process that approved schools experience in order to maintain their accreditation standing with ALA. The visit went well and we await the official document covering all aspects of our programming.

The fall 2009 semester draws quickly to a close; thus, everyone is completing final papers and projects. Final e-portfolios for those graduating in December have been submitted for evaluation. Everything turns toward Monday, December 14 = Graduation Day and Davis College Reception for our winter graduates.

The cohort continues to add students. Anyone in VA or WV who is interested in the online MLIS should plan to have all application material submitted by May/June. The mandatory orientation will be at Waynesboro High School on Saturday, July 24 from 10 - 3. As always, lunch will be provided.

As a cohort member, you will have 3 onsite opportunities: orientation, e-portfolio workshop, and internship workshop. A 4th and final onsite will be a joyful one: a celebration of your graduation. That event, too, will be in Waynesboro, VA in order that participants can make the event in one day. We try to be sensitive to costs incurred, especially in these harsh economic times.

Will you be there???

If you are in the WVVA Cohort at this time and plan to attend the e-portfolio workshop on Saturday, October 17 at Waynesboro High from 10 - 3, please notify Dr. V. in order to have an accurate count for lunch.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A GREAT MLIS PROGRAM ONLINE?

IF YOU ANSWERED "YES" TO THE QUERY, CONSIDER THIS INFORMATION RE THE USC SCHOOL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE:
1. Cohorts are becoming more and more a vital part of our Masters programming. Although we have a vibrant oncampus program, we offer the cohort program as an alternative for those who need or want to get that MLIS strictly online.

2. At the present time, we hold 4 onsites in order to keep that interpersonal contact and have some face-to-face between SLIS and the students in diverse locations: (1) orientation (mandatory) (2) e-portfolio (important since an e-portfolio is part of your exit proficiency) (3) internship (If possible, every MLIS student should choose an internship. It makes a tremendous bridge from the classroom to the professional field.) (4) a celebration to share your accomplishment.

3. Visit our website: http://www.libsci.sc.edu/ and click on the For Future Students tab. In addition, in the left frame, choose Site Index and peruse the various information sections.

4. You can apply online. There is an online $50 application fee that needs to be paid before you begin having materials sent to The Graduate School.

5. To be ready to attend the Orientation on July 25, you will need your materials completed and submitted by May 15. Some persons feel, "Oh, 5 parts, that won't take long" and the next thing you know, it's May and the packet is incomplete!

6. The required admission parts are (a) online application and fee (b) personal statement (c) 2 letters of recommendation (d) college/university official GPA (e) MAT or GRE scores. (If it has been a while since you took one or the other, you will have to retake. There are online helps + in the archives of this blog, I have given some sources. Do the best you can; study and review but don't panic. Remember that there are 4 other sections to the admission packet.)

I will happily answer any questions or get you to the person who can answer them. I facilitate the WVVA Cohort and in the archives in the left frame of this blog you can read about its development and progress.

There are other cohorts if your state location is other than WV or VA. For example, a New England cohort began this fall. For example, a chronological cohort will begin fall 2010 (called the Fall10Cohort).

Dates of Importance to Cohort Students

The following dates are important for all cohort members. Some of you have attended one or more; others need to begin.
1. E-portfolio Workshop Saturday, October 17 10 - 3 Waynesboro High
2. Internship Workshop Saturday, March 6 10 - 3 Waynesboro High
3. E-portfolio Workshop Saturday, July 24 10 - 3 Waynesboro High
Orientation Workshop Saturday, July 24 10 - 3 Waynesboro High

We have been able to accommodate 2 workshops on the same day. Therefore, the July dual listing should not be a problem.

CONGRATULATIONS!

The congratulations go to the cohort members who have or will graduate in 2009. Our celebration at the Waynesboro Country Club was classy and yet fun and festive.

Now we look to 2010 and the ones who will finish spring '10, summer '10, or fall '10 (December graduation). I won't ask for a show of hands yet but it won't be long until I will want to begin gathering numbers.

The cohort continues to take in members as others graduate. When you began the program, you knew you had 4 years to complete it. That has not changed but an extension is possible if you use the form that will allow that to happen.

Keep up the good work! I hear some grand things about the students in the WVVA Cohort. I know the work can be demanding in the midst of family, children, and job but an MLIS should not come without both a monetary price and a sacrificial price.

If you need me, my email address never changes: wallybug@bellsouth.net.

Dr. Virginia Wallace, Ed.D.
University of South Carolina
School of Library and Information Science
Columbia, SC 29208

The welcome video from LISSA!

New members of the WV/VA Cohort,

My name is Chess Schmidt and as the President of the Library and Information Science Student Association, I wanted to apologize for the technical problems that did now allow you to hear the Video for your Orientation this past weekend! This link will take you to the video on YouTube and allow you to (with the volume turned up) hear my greeting and hear me talk about the purpose of our ALA student chapter association. Thank you Dr. Wallace for letting me post this on the Cohort blog! If you have any questions about us or our organization check out the LISSA website or email us at Slis-Lissa@yahoo.com !

Welcome to the program,
Chess Schmidt
Current LISSA President

Summer In Full Swing and Fall Classes around the Bend!

Thought I'd "green it up" to match all of the beautiful greenery around us here in South Carolina!

1. The celebration for those in the WVVA Cohort who graduate during one of the 2009 commencements will be Saturday, August 22, in Waynesboro, VA, at the Waynesboro Country Club at 2:00 PM.

2. The orientation workshop for those beginning the MLIS program with fall '09 classes will be Saturday, July 25, at Waynesboro High School, from 10 - 3. Lunch will be provided.

3. An e-portfolio workshop will be held on Saturday, October 17, at Waynesboro High School, from 10 - 3. Lunch will be provided.

4. On March 6, 2010, there will be an internship workshop at Waynesboro High School
from 10 - 3 with lunch provided.

The WVVA Cohort has grown to 100 strong admitted to the program. It is a wonderfully "user-friendly" program with a wide variety of technologies used for feeling connected and for developing skills essential to the role of the 21st century library/information specialist.

It is not too late to become a cohort member! I would love to talk with persons considering a career change or those college/university students who wish to continue their education upon graduation with the undergraduate degree.
Dr. Virginia Wallace
864-850-9128
803-777-8894

IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS!

(Dr. Virginia Wallace, WVVA Facilitator: 803-777-8894)

The Graduate School: 803-777-2990

Office of SLIS Director: 803-777-3858

Student Services Director: 803-777-0270

Student Services Graduate Students Admission Coordinator: 803-777-5067

Distance Eduction Coordinator: 803-777-8068

Technology Support for Blackboard: 803-777-6015

Dates of Interest

As we prepare for the 2009/2010 school year, some dates to keep in mind concerning admission to the USC MLIS program are as follows:

1. Saturday, July 25 Orientation at Waynesboro High School in Waynesboro, VA, from 10 AM - 3 PM
2. Saturday, August 22 Celebration for those in the Cohort whose graduation is in 2009.
3. Saturday, October 17 E-portfolio Workshop at Waynesboro High, 10 - 3

We are holding the celebration at the Waynesboro Country Club at 2 PM.

That will take care of our onsite meetings for 2009. The 2010 dates follow:

1. Saturday, March 6 Internship Workshop at Waynesboro High School in Waynesboro, VA from 10 AM - 3 PM
2. Saturday, July 24 Orientation Workshop and E-portfolio Workshop both from 10 - 3 PM
3. August 28 Celebration for those graduating anytime in 2010!

Update about the SLIS Masters and the WVVA Cohort

I am thinking spring!

The University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science has a presence in a number of states via e-learning. Through the distance education program, a student can complete the MLIS without campus time. Members of the faculty and staff usually try to visit out-of-state students once or more during the duration of the 4-year program.

Most students do not use the entire 4 years. Some complete the work in 2 years. We encourage those working fulltime to take no more than 2 courses per semester. USC SLIS is set up on 4 terms: fall, spring, Summer Session I, and Summer Session II.

Recently, an e-portfolio workshop was held in Waynesboro, VA. The e-portfolio is an important piece because it acts as an exit proficiency: a place to demonstrate what one has accomplished throughout the program. Many use parts of the e-portfolio when job hunting!

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:

1. May 23, 2009 = Orientation onsite for the WVVA Cohort for those beginning course work on June 1.

2. May 23, 2009 = WVVA Cohort Internship workshop for those interested in having an internship before graduation. It is a transition experience.

3. June 1, 2009 = Summer Session I begins.

4. July 25, 2009 = Orientation onsite for the WVVA Cohort for those beginning classes in August 2009 for the fall term.

The USC School of Library & Information Science Webpage

For those considering an MLIS program, we welcome you to explore SLIS as a possibility. Here are some links on our webpage that will be especially informative and helpful:
1. In a bar across the page, choose For Future Students and For Current Students. There you will find Class Schedules and Course Descriptions.

2. In the lefthand frame, be certain to click on Student Services and scroll their page for all they offer.

3. The Site Index is v-e-r-y helpful. By browsing the various topics, one can become familiar with much that goes on at USC School of Library and Information Science.

4. As facilitator of the WV and VA Cohort, I would be happy to answer your questions: Virginia Wallace #864-850-9128 or contact Tilda Reeder in Student Services #803-777-5067.

How are we ending the year?

The WVVA Cohort is going strong. We added 14 for Spring 2009 and that is exciting. The next deadline will happen too quickly; therefore, if you are interested in the University of South Carolina Masters of Library and Information Science, now is the time to begin the admissions process.
Deadline for admission to Summer I 2009 Cohort = April 15, 2009
Onsite orientation at Waynesboro High School = May 23, 2009
Classes begin for Summer 1 2009 = June 1, 2009

If you have questions about the online admission packet ($50 application fee), please contact
Student Services Graduate Students Admission Coordinator: 803-777-5067. Her name is Tilda Reeder and she is v-e-r-y helpful and will help you in any way she can to make the admissions process as painless as possible.

For those already in the program, look ahead for these workshops:
1. E-portfolio workshop ---------------March 14, 2009 (If you have not attended, it is a MUST!)
2. Internship workshop----------------May 23, 2009 (Don't attend too soon but at the same time, don't wait too long! If you want an internship or if you are unsure, this is the workshop for you.)

Mark your calendars. Write me if you have questions or concerns or uncertainties. If I don't know the answer, I'll find one ASAP.
Dr. V.

INTERNSHIP WORKSHOP

An important date for cohort members who are thinking about INTERNSHIPS is Saturday, December 6, 2008, at Waynesboro High School at 10 AM.

If you are interested in an internship but cannot make this workshop, there will be another one on May 23, 2009.

Internships can be very helpful to those who are career changers or who hope to move into another area of librarianship. Internships act as a bridge from the career you know to the new career that lies ahead.

Moving toward Orientation!

For those joining the WVVA Cohort for Spring 2009, orientation day is almost here! Orientations are mandatory so mark Saturday, December 6, 2008 on your calendar.

We will meet in the Waynesboro High School Library Media Center from 10 AM - 3 PM. Lunch will be provided. :)

This will be your opportunity to meet Dr. Samantha Hastings, the director of the USC School of Library and Information Science and some fellow cohort students.

VEMA Conference

If you are considering an MLIS degree from USC and will be attending the VEMA Conference at the Richmond Convention Center on November 6 - 7, please stop by the School of Library and Information Science booth in the Exhibit Hall. There will be handouts and a brochure with information to help you with your decision making.

I look forward to talking with you there. There will be a reception for alumni, for present students, and for potential students. Here are the particulars:
College Alumni Gathering
Thursday, November6, 2008
6:00–7:00 pm
University of South Carolina
Salon 3

Value of the Listserv

To those of you considering the USC School of Library and Information Science MLIS and to those of you working on your admission packet, I want to encourage membership in the listserv that I maintain for prospective students.
1. In your email, for TO, put LISTSERV@LISTSERV.SC.EDU.
2. For the SUBJECT, put nothing.
3. For the BODY, put SUBSCRIBE COHORT2008 firstname lastname.

The DEADLINE DATE for application packets for spring 2009 is November 1. The first and most important step is to pay the online application fee of $40.00. The Graduate School will prepare a file on you and each item of the packet that comes in will have a place to go!

It takes a number of weeks for the application packet review; therefore, the onsite orientation at Waynesboro High School is set for Saturday, December 6. The sooner you get your application packet in the better in order to be admitted and receive the letter re the orientation.

I look forward to meeting a new group of students who will become part of the WVVA Cohort, which presently has 85 in the program.
Dr. V.
864-850-9128
wallybug@bellsouth.net

USC MLIS important phone numbers

The Graduate School: 803-777-2990
Office of SLIS Director: 803-777-3858
Student Services Director: 803-777-0270
Student Services Graduate Students Admission Coordinator: 803-777-5067
Distance Eduction Coordinator: 803-777-8068
Technology Support for Blackboard: 803-777-6015

Ning

I thought it might be fun for cohort members to communicate via a Ning. I have set up one: www.wvvacohort.ning.com. Let's see where it goes.

Celebration Time, Come On!

If you are part of the WVVA Cohort and plan to graduate either spring 09 or summer 09 or fall 09, you will want to attend the graduation celebration scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2009, at Waynesboro High School in Waynesboro, VA.

It is too early for details but never too early to set aside the date for a time to congratulate yourself and to be congratulated for a job well done. You will be the proud possessor of a Masters of Library and Information Science degree, a feat about which to brag and celebrate!

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

• Deadline for admission to Spring 2009 WVVA Cohort November 1, 2008
• Onsite orientation at Waynesboro High School December 6, 2008
• Beginning of classes for Spring 2009 January 12, 2009
• Deadline for admission to Summer I 2009 Cohort April 15, 2009
• Onsite orientation at Waynesboro High School May 23, 2009
• Classes begin for Summer 1 2009 June 1, 2009
• Deadline for admission to Fall 2009 June 15, 2009
• Onsite orientation at Waynesboro High School July 25, 2009
• Classes begin for Fall 2009 August 20, 2009

The scholarship deadline is March 1 each year.

The 2nd onsite is an e-portfolio workshop. The 3rd is an internship workshop. The 4th is a Celebration upon completion of the program!

1. Internship workshop for those who entered Fall '07, Spring '08, and SS I '08 ----------------------December 6, 2008
2. E-portfolio workshop for those who entered Spring '08, SS I '08, Fall '08, Spring '09 ---------------March 14 2009
3. Internship workshop for those who entered Fall '08 and Spring '09 -------------------------------May 23, 2009

Listserv and Admission Requirements

Although I have covered both the listserv and the requirements in earlier posts, I thought I would do so again to keep them near the top of the blog entries.

LISTSERV INFORMATION:
(1) For the To line, type LISTSERV@LISTSERV.SC.EDU
(2) Leave the Subject line blank
(3) In the body, type SUBSCRIBE COHORT2008 yourfirstname yourlastname.

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION:
Admissions Requirements for the MLIS Program include the following:

1. A completed USC Graduate School Admissions Information Form and a non-refundable $40.00 application fee. This application may be completed by paper or electronically. Go to the home page of the Graduate School and click on "Apply Now" or go directly to the Application.
The Graduate School does not begin a file on you until you pay the $40.00 fee to show that you are serious!

2. An official transcript showing possession of a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency. The undergraduate record should show promise for graduate study with a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

3. Official transcripts from all other colleges or universities attended.

4. Two letters of reference from persons who can comment directly on the applicant's professional and academic capabilities and potential. For example, college instructors could comment on an applicant's previous academic performance in relation to potential for graduate study; a supervisor/administrator could address job performance and potential for advancement. Letters which speak only of the applicant's personal attributes will not be accepted. Letters from friends and relatives are not acceptable.

5. The School of Library and Information Science requires one of the following:
a. Official score reports showing at least 950 on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE with a minimum score of at least 500 on the verbal portion OR
b. Official score reports for test showing at least 410 on the Miller Analogies Test.
c.(International students whose native language is not English must also submit an official report showing a minimum score of 570 [230 computer-based total] on the TOEFL exam.)

6. The School of Library and Information Science Supplemental Information Form, which includes a statement of purpose. Download the Supplemental Information Form which is completed along with the Graduate School electronic application. When you write your statement of purpose, please, please include all of the required parts!

http://www.libsci.sc.edu/program/degrees.htm#mlisadmit

Have You Heard?

The University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science has been in Virginia and West Virginia for several years now. Ask around and you will find and can talk with our happy MLIS ALA-approved graduates from previous cohorts.

AND we presently have another cohort underway. It is not too late to become part of the program.

How does the cohort work?
All classes are online.
Virginia and West Virginia students never have to come to the SC campus.
Virginia and West Virginia students never have to have onsites with their classes. (If a class and an instructor were to decide to have one, that would not be a problem.)

INSTATE TUITION IS OFFERED.

There are 4 onsites throughout the entire program: (1) orientation (2) e-portfolio workshop (3) internship workshop (4) in-state graduation celebration to be held in Waynesboro, VA.

Waynesboro High School, Waynesboro, VA is the location of the onsites so that no one has more than a 4-hour drive.
The onsites are one-day, 10 AM - 4 PM events.

How can you find out more?
Ø Go to the SLIS webpage, For Future Students: www.libsci.sc.edu.

Ø Join our listserv: To: LISTSERV@LISTSERV.SC.EDU
Subject: Leave it blank.
Body of message: SUBSCRIBE COHORT2008 firstname lastname

Ø Contact Dr. Virginia Wallace at wallybug@bellsouth.net.


IS THIS PROGRAM FOR YOU? WE BELIEVE SO.
WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT YOU SHOULD TELL YOUR FRIENDS.
THE SLIS MLIS IS USER FRIENDLY WITH INSTRUCTORS WHO LOVE WHAT THEY TEACH AND WANT YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL!

Don’t delay. To begin classes in Spring ‘09, you need to complete an admissions packet ASAP! The timeline works like this: (1) Online application with $40 online fee and other admission materials should be in by November 1. Getting transcripts and recommendations and taking either the GRE or MAT take time!(2) The Spring ‘09 orientation will be in Waynesboro on Saturday, December 6.
(3) Spring ‘09 classes begin in January ‘09.

Exciting things are happening at SLIS. Become part of a dynamic, ALA-approved Masters program. You won’t regret it. Since we are in the “Information Age,” those who can organize, locate, access, store, and research information are in demand. The jobs are waiting for qualified professionals.

RE jobs

1. Please make certain that you have joined this listserv: slisinfo@listserv.sc.edu. Information goes out frequently re job opportunities.

2. Use the Site Index at http://www.libsci.sc.edu/ and click on J. There you will find a hot link to Job Listings. When you click there, the categories are by states as well as Websites for the School of Library & Information Science and SLISJOBS . You can join a listserv specifically designed for LIS with areas covered, such as
SLIS Placement Information
Career/Job Web Sites
Job Listings
USC Career Center
Interview Questions
Jobs Mailing List
What can I do?? - Where can I work??

E-portfolios

"At the heart of the portfolio as we envision it are samples of ---performance, not just what (persons) say about their practice but artifacts and examples of what they actually do." Edgerton, Hutchings and Quinlan, 1992)

Since e-portfolios are used as exit demonstration of academic proficiency in the MLIS program, the e-portfolio workshop is one of four cohort onsites that all members must attend. This spring, there will be two for cohort members: (1) at Marshall University's Charleston Campus, 100 Angus E. Peyton Drive (exit 55, I - 64) and (2) at Waynesboro High School, 1200 West Main Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980.

The meetings will run from 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM with lunch provided.

Persons in WV and VA interested in beginning the MLIS online program might wish to observe part of the day, meet students in the program, and speak with faculty or staff.

Still accepting cohort members

The University of South Carolina's School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) began the WVVA Cohort for fall '07. Because of continued interest, more persons entered the cohort for both spring '08 and summer session I '08.

Now we are preparing persons for admission who would like to enter for fall '08. There are some guidelines you must keep in mind and follow in order to receive your acceptance letter in time to participate:

1. May 1, 2008 = completion date for admissions packet. Show any related experience you may have had.

2. An online application is available. Send your $40 online application fee at that time.

3. The Graduate School will prepare a folder to hold your information as it arrives: transcripts, either GRE or MAT score, 2 letters of recommendation, and a 5-paragraph personal statement.

Contact me with questions of interest:
Dr. Virginia Wallace
864-850-9128
wallybug@bellsouth.net

Get in the race for one of the best experiences of your life! Take all of your classes online and yet have close contact with your instructors and develop a network among the members of the cohort.

The clock is ticking!

February has arrived! If you are seeking admission to the SLIS MLIS program for Summer Session I, all of your materials should be in the Graduate School by February 15. Please notify me (wallybug@bellsouth.net) if you are trying to get all of your materials in but are facing a glitch

The materials needed for admissions are as follows: (1) $40 online application fee (2) online application (3) personal statement (5 parts) (4) college/university transcripts (5) 2 letters of recommendation (6) GRE or MAT scores.

Once you are accepted, you will have time to search for monies: financial aid and/or scholarships. Classes for Summer Session 1 begin June 1.

The onsite orientation date is Saturday, April 12 in Waynesboro, VA at Waynesboro High School from 10:00 - 4:30. There are only 4 face-to-face times throughout the entire program: orientation, e-portfolio workshop, internship information, and a graduation ceremony at the VA State Library.

CONSIDERING AN MLIS?

The University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Studies has a nationally ranked ALA-approved Masters that is offered using blended technologies. For persons in West Virginia and Virginia, a cohort began fall 07 with 55 students and 12 to be added for spring 08.

It is still possible to join that cohort by completing the application packet for Summer Session I or Fall 08 admission. See below for date deadlines.

If you are not in WV or VA but are interested in the USC MLIS, go to http://www.libsci.sc.edu/ and click on For Future Students. Contact me anytime: vwallace@gwm.sc.edu or wallybug@bellsouth.net.

Spring 08, Summer Session I, Fall 08

I thought I would itemize some info here. Some of you already know these things but it does not hurt to hear again.
1. The onsite orientation for WV and VA students who plan to begin classes in Spring 08 will be held in Waynesboro, VA at Waynesboro High School on Saturday, January 12 from 10 AM to 4:30 PM.
2. If anyone wishes to drive in the evening before and stay all night, I recommend the Best Western right off I-64 in Waynesboro. It is brand new.
3. If you do stay all night on Friday, let me know and all or any of us can get together and I (SLIS) will spring for pizza. :)
4. This orientation is mandatory and very important. You will hear so much about d.e. and cohorts and USC's digital programs for students and the library (Thomas Cooper aka TCL), etc.
5. By starting in Spring 08, you will actually have two onsites in one semester because there will be an e-portfolio learning session on April 5 in Charleston, WV on the Marshall Campus there and on April 12 in Waynesboro at the high school again. You may choose either the 5th or 12th depending on your personal need and wish.

6. For those who do not make the spring 08 start but plan to begin Summer Session I or Fall 08, there will be orientation onsites for you also. I am thinking that we can have the SS I onsite on April 12 in Waynesboro while others are conducting the e-portfolio workshop in another part of Waynesboro High School. Since I must consider the number of trips for faculty and staff, that would make sense. Thus, you would be ready to begin SS I classes on June 2.

Make certain to complete your application packet and everything in by February 15 in order to have adequate time for your materials to go through the Graduate School.

7. For those who wish to begin Fall 08, your onsite orientation has been scheduled for June 14 in order to be ready for August 21 starting date. It will be held at Waynesboro High School in Waynesboro, VA.

Please have your application packet completed by May 1. That will give adequate time for the materials to reach the Graduate School for admission consideration.

8. SS I and Fall 08 admittees will need the onsite e-portfolio workshop and that probably will be early in 2009 (have to consider the weather) about March. Thank goodness, I do not have to make that decision today!

Latest info for joining the WVVA Cohort

When I attended both VEMA and VLA and Nonie Price attended WVLA, we talked with many persons interested in our online Masters program. We are able to offer in-state tuition + fee because there is no ALA-approved Masters in either state.

Please read through the various blog posts to get a more complete understanding of what we have to offer.

If you are looking for a Masters of Library and Information Science program and do not want to leave your home state, SLIS (School of Library and Information Science at USC) might be just the place you want to be!

Although the cohort began fall '07, it is still possible to become part of the program. For Spring '08, all admissions materials would need to be in by December 1 and that might be a stretch for many. Therefore, if serious about a program but cannot meet that deadline, begin the admissions process and have everything completed for a Summer Session I entry or Fall '08 entry.

Contact me and I will help in whatever way I can. Below I have given a campus email and here I will post an additional email address that you might use: wallybug@bellsouth.net

For Updates

Welcome to the space where, I hope, we will be able to share our questions/answers, thoughts and ideas about the WVVA online program that began fall 2007. It is still possible to join this cohort if you live in WV or VA and it is possible to receive instate tuition plus a distance learning handling fee.
To get in touch with me concerning the program, email me at vwallace@gwm.sc.edu.
In order to receive the latest information, subscribe to my listserv. I will send out updated information frequently, especially as I attend conferences and learn what your specific needs and questions are.
(1) For the To line, type LISTSERV@LISTSERV.SC.EDU (2) Leave the Subject line blank (3) In the body, type SUBSCRIBE COHORT2008 yourfirstname yourlastname.

Upcoming Conferences

I will attend the VEMA conference October 11 - 13 and the VLA conference November 1 - 2. If you are interested in our online MLIS cohort program, please see me at the USC - SLIS booth in the exhibit hall.

This Masters for VA residents will allow you to receive in-state tuition. In order to begin Spring '08, you would need to complete your admissions packet by December 1.

It is important to get in touch with me now or certainly, to see me at one of the conferences.

Being part of the WVVA Cohort MLIS program is possible but we need to get you started now on the application process.

Admission to the Cohort Continues!

West Virginia and Virginia librarians and those interested in librarianship should consider the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science MLIS program. Additional students can enter the online cohort that began this fall. The cohort offers in-state tuition, all courses via digital technologies, no campus visits, 4 onsites in your state during the entire program (and one of those is a graduation ceremony that we bring to you!), and opportunities for networking and developing peer support.

If this is what you have been looking for, try 5 things:

1. Go to http://www.libsci.sc.edu/. That is our school's webpage where you will click on For Future Students to find information about the school, the program, and the admissions procedure.

2. Join the listserv for those who want to begin classes January 2008. Periodically, I will send out updated information. Additionally, it is a place where you can communicate among yourselves: COHORT2008@LISTSERV.SC.EDU.

3. Continue to visit this blog. I will continue to post.

4. Email me with your questions: wallybug@bellsouth.net or vwallace@sc.edu.

5. Call me at 803-777-8894. If I am not in my office, leave a number where I can reach you.

IMPORTANT DEADLINE INFORMATION: You must complete the admissions packet by December 1. Now is the time to start. You can complete the application online. I recommend that you send the online registration fee when you complete your entry. The Graduate School will set up a file in your name and as pieces of the admissions packet arrive, they will go into your personal file.

August and Time to Begin Classes!

The WVVA Cohort has been formed and it is 60 strong! The WV orientation will be held in Charleston, WV on the Marshall University-Charleston Campus on Saturday, August 11, from 9:30 - 4:30. The VA orientation will be in Waynesboro at Waynesboro High School on Monday, August 13, from 9:30 - 4:30.

It is an exciting time! Our cohort students will complete the program of study completely online. Blended technologies to be used, at this time, include Blackboard, DVD's, streaming video, audio conferencing, Breeze Presentation, Breeze Live, Camtasia, CD's, web-based resources, and of course, print. Sometimes we tend to forget that print has been and still is a major technology in our lives!

If interested in an online Masters of Library and Information Science, contact me. The information is in an earlier archived post. Additionally, you could comment at this site and I will get back with you.

Latest developments

The Fourth of July represents the halfway point of summer. In a little over 5 weeks, we will have our first orientation onsite for the WVVA Cohort that begins on August 23.

If there are those interested in the cohort but have not begun the application process, please contact me ASAP! wallybug@bellsouth.net. All things are possible if you are truly interested in the Masters commitment.

The Cohort is shaping up beautifully. It looks as though the network of West Virginians and Virginians will be 55+ in number! Once you graduate from the program, you will carry with you many lasting friendships and good professional contacts made over the next several years.

Admissions Packets

Today is the last day of May. Some are worried because all items of their admissions packet have not arrived. Do not worry! June 1 is a Graduate Studies deadline but we have known that our admissions would continue beyond that date.

It is important to keep pushing ahead, however, because the Admissions Committee meets the end of June and if there are packets that need the attention of the committee, we want to be able to present them then.

I got my printout yesterday and am amazed how many of you are diligently at work with your admissions. Besides the incomplete packages, we have 30 who have been admitted and 5 pending.

A great cohort is shaping up! It will not be too long until I can send out the particulars concerning the orientation onsites. For those in WV, keep the dates August 10 and 11. The 10th will be an evening get-together for those who wish to travel in early. The 11th will be the day-long orientation. For those in VA, keep the dates August 12 and 13. The 12th will be the evening social for those who wish to come in early and stay over. The 13th (Monday) will be the day-long orientation.

An orientation is mandatory. Please make plans for one or the other. The WV site will be the Charleston Campus of Marshall University. The VA site will be the Charlottesville area (not Charlotteville proper but close -within 20 - 30 minutes). I will give you all of the details once we have the finalized list of cohort participants.

I am excited! How about you?

Update re deadlines and fall start

I thought that I should touch base since we are fast approaching May and June follows quickly on its heels!

Quite a few of you have been accepted into the program; even more of you have your admissions packet near completion with Graduate Studies and SLIS Student Services; and a few of you are gathering all of the parts to submit at once.

Once again, my recommendation is to begin giving the materials to Graduate Studies and SLIS Student Services. There is a process that the application must go through and it is slow this time of year because USC is a big university with many graduate programs and many applicants.

As we look beyond June to August, two big events occur: (1) onsite orientation and (2) classes begin. Pretty exciting! Lots of anticipation!

At a recent faculty meeting, the Orientation Committee gave a report. The effort is to have the same type of orientation for all sites whether at a distance or on campus. We believe that networking and socializing and collaborating are important parts of the program. We believe that it is important for you to meet us, for us to meet you, and for you to meet you. Orientation will cover a multitude of areas important for your comfort level.

I look forward to the time with you and will be in touch as times and locations are finalized. I've got some alums out there helping. Because of their positive experiences in the program, they willingly "step up tothe plate," when asked.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

One of the SLIS faculty members compiled the following information. I think all of you will find it helpful. Good reading! I know that some of the funds are for SC students entering school library; however, I thought if you read about these, you might check in WV and VA to see if similar programs are available for our "critical need" area of school librarianship.

Financial Aid and Scholarships
Financial aid is available for SLIS students. All students applying to the program and all students currently enrolled at SLIS should be aware of the different loans and scholarships, application forms, and due dates
The USC Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarship office:
http://www.sc.edu/financialaid/

Scholarships from the School of Library and Information Science.
http://www.libsci.sc.edu/program/scholarships.htm

Federal Stafford loans. Qualified individuals may apply for low interest loans (http://www.sc.edu/financialaid/applyforstaf.html).

Any SLIS student who holds a valid SC teaching license is eligible to apply for a discounted tuition at USC. Students who have a current SC teaching certificate should contact the Office of the Bursar (http://www.sc.edu/bursar/).

Financial aid for South Carolina residents who are SLIS students pursuing certification in K-12 school library media.

The USC Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarship office:
http://www.sc.edu/financialaid/applyforteachers.html

Since school library media is listed as one of the critical needs areas in South Carolina (http://www.scstudentloan.org/wp280-03.aspx), SC residents working toward certification in K-12 school library media may be eligible for two types of forgivable loans: either the South Carolina Teachers Loan Program or the Career Changers Loan Program. Due to limited funding, meeting all criteria and deadlines does not guarantee that individuals will be accepted into these loan programs. Applications are available online (http://www.scstudentloan.org/wp154-01.aspx). Students must apply each year as loans are granted on an annual basis. Applications are available each March. Early submission is strongly recommended. June 1st is the deadline each year.

The SC Teachers Loan Program allows students to borrow up to $5,000 a year with an aggregate amount of $20,000.

The Career Changers Loan Program allows students to borrow up to $15,000 per year up to an aggregate maximum of $60,000 to complete their degrees.

The SC Teachers Loan Program and the Career Changers Loan Program are cancelled at the rate of 20% or $3,000, whichever is greater, for each full year of employment as a media specialist in a K-12 public school in South Carolina. If an individual is hired as a media specialist in a critical geographic area, the loan will be cancelled at the rate of 33% or $5,000, whichever is greater, for each year of full time employment. This means that most loans are usually "forgiven" in 3-5 years.

The South Carolina Teachers Loan Program and the Career Changers Loan Program are not the best loan programs for some individuals.
1.) Students must be enrolled for what qualifies as at least a half-time basis. Six graduate hours in the fall and spring might be too many hours for a student working full-time with family responsibilities.
2.) The loans usually do not cover courses in the summer.
3.) If a student doesn't become certified as a school librarian or fails to secure a position as a media specialist in SC and fulfill his/her obligation to work as a media specialist for the required number of years in SC, the loan must be repaid with accrued interest. The interest rate is set as the current rate on the Federal Stafford Loan plus 2% (currently 8.8%).

SC residents seeking certification in K-12 school library media should join the South Carolina Association of School Librarians as soon as they enroll at SLIS (http://www.scasl.net/joinus.htm). As a member of SCASL, SLIS students may apply for the Nancy Jane Day Scholarship (http://www.scasl.net/profawards/njdapp.htm).

Looking toward fall 2007

The WVVA Masters Online Cohort is moving forward wonderfully! Not only is it a "go" but a "go" with some great candidates who have submitted their applications to be part of the program.

Each week I get an update about applications and each week the list gets longer. It is not too late! We would love to have you in the cohort if you live in VA or WV. The application process takes about a month to put together. Give yourself enough time in order to receive your admittance by July.

The fall 2007 semester begins August 23 and we will have onsite orientations in VA and WV during the week of August 13.

Remember: (1) There is no ALA-approved Master of Library and Information Science in VA or WV. Because of that, USC-SLIS is able to offer in-state tuition. (2) The program is designed as a 4 year program but you may accelerate that time. (3) All of the courses will be offered online. (4) Four onsites are planned: orientation, e-portfolios, internships, and graduation. SLIS will come to you - WV and VA.

If you have been thinking about beginning a Masters program, this might be just what you need and have been looking for.

Scholarship Site

Monster.com owns this site. I do not know if the college scholarships are for graduate students because I did not create a free account. Since it is free, it would not hurt to take a look if you are interested. http://fastweb.com/

Monies available and online GRE practice

The link that I am providing has sample GRE questions that might help as you review for the test. http://education.yahoo.com/

If you work in a public library, you may want to share this information with the administration.
Grow Your Own @ Your Library Institutional Scholarship --PLA will provide nine public libraries with a lump sum of $8,000 each to be distributed to as many of their employees as they choose for the purpose of working toward obtaining an MLS-- $6,500 is to be used directly for payment of tuition at an ALA-accredited library school; $1,500 is to be used to support attendance for one or more of the selected scholarship recipients to attend a PLA-sponsored CE conference such as the 2008 PLA National Conference. http://www.pla.org/ala/pla/plaawards/growyourown.htm

Northern Virginia trip

Dr. Samantha Hastings and I made the trip to Northern Virginia January 31 - February 2. I kept positive thoughts about traveling and snow but we actually flew between snows. On the return, when I flew into Charlotte, NC, there was snow around and I was told plenty of ice and sleet earlier.

The meetings with prospective cohort participants were fun. It was rewarding to see so many persons eager to take the professional challenge and commitment required to get an MLIS.

As all of you know, classes will begin fall 2007 and that means the first sessions will be toward the end of August. There will be an orientation in VA also. We (USC SLIS) will travel to you.

Since some of the contact information is now way down the blog postings, I want to remind you of the SLIS webpage: www.libsci.sc.edu. Look under For Future Students. Note the contacts in Student Services. As you are preparing your admissions packet, you may wish to speak with someone in that office.

If you haven't joined the listserv, I encourage you to do so. I have given the steps further down in the blog.

I would like to hear from you. Usually a question you have is one someone else has. What helps one helps all. :)