Director of Winter Haven Public Library, USF Alumna Jennifer Kovac, profiled in TBLC Newsletter

USF SLIS alumna, Jennifer Kovac, was recently profiled in the Tampa Bay Library Consortium (TBLC) newsletter,Wavelinks. Jennifer first received her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary social sciences with a focus on history and social sciences from USF, before graduating with her masters from USF SLIS in 2007.

Jennifer Kovac, Library Services Director, Winter Haven Public Library

After working in several different library departments, Jennifer is now Library Services' Director of the Winter Haven Public Library. The library puts on the Art Expo Winter Haven in the spring and fall and features local artists.

"One day she's going to rule the library world!" -Gladys Roberts, Director, Polk County Library Cooperative
SDG

USF SLIS Alumna Gina Persichini Links Idaho's Libraries

As a networking consultant for the Idaho Commission for Libraries, SLIS Alumna Gina Persichini enables the opportunity for libraries to share their resources with Idahoans. Gina received a M.A. in Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida in 1995. Currently, she coordinates LiLI, Libraries Linking Idaho, a statewide library program, which allows the people of Idaho to access many full-text databases. Gina also develops statewide library projects, including a demonstration of downloadable audiobooks for all Idaho residents which was launched in 2007.

"I believe strongly in professional development..."

She is involved with ALA and the Idaho Library Association among other organizations. From USF to Idaho, Gina has made herself well-known on the web; for more information about Gina click here.

2009 Annual FAM Conference.

A major cultural event.

SLIS Professors Planning for New School Year

Professors Simon, Andrews, and Yoon planning for the coming school year

See SLIS photostream.
-KldPMc

SLIS Student Orientation at the Tampa Campus

On August 13th, 2009, SLIS held an orientation and open house for new (and current) students from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. First, Dr. Andrews and all the other faculty members introduced themselves, as well as announced any classes that they teach and their research areas. Then some of the staff went over some program topics, such as procedures and forms of communication. Next, the presidents of the student organizations spoke about membership, Dr. Riedling spoke about distant learning, Dr. Alexander spoke about fieldwork and comprehensive exams, and Dr. McCook spoke about community outreach and service.

(Pictured from l-r) Bridgitte Woodley, ASIS&T President; Alechia Dow, ALA President; and Gina McIntyre, SLA President.

Dr. Linda Alexander presenting information on fieldwork and comprehensive exams

There was also a brief Library Services presentation given by Susan Ariew.

Professors Simon, Andrews, and Yoon planning for the coming school year

The orientation ended with an open house to allow the students and faculty to get to know each other better.

If you were unable to attend the orientation and want to see what you missed, the video will be available online through the foundations course.
JV

SLIS Says Farewell to Dr. Nahyun Kwon

Last Wednesday, the Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Assistants held a small goodbye coffee social for Associate Professor Dr. Nahyun Kwon, who is leaving USF SLIS to move back to Korea and teach at Myongji University. Dr. Kwon has been teaching at SLIS since the Fall of 2002. We wish her the very best in all of her endeavors. She will be sorely missed by everyone at SLIS.

SLIS Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students at Dr. Kwon's Coffee Social

SLIS Graduate Student, Catherine Cottle, at ALA 2009

We were there! USF SLIS sent graduate student Catherine Cottle to the American Library Conference Annual Conference last month to represent SLIS and to attend sessions about our aging population.

(pictured l-r) Laurie Books, IMLS Associate Deputy Director, State Programs; Tony Sarmiento, Chairman, RUSA/RSS Committee on Library Services to An Aging Population; Lynn Kellogg, President, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging; and Catherine Cottle, USF SLIS graduate student

While there, Catherine shared the partnership she and USF SLIS created with the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging and the Tampa Bay Library Consortium. The WCFAAA/Public Libraries Partnership for Seniors started in Dr. Kathleen McCook's class and continues under the guidance of Dr. Stephanie Maatta-Smith. Dr. Kwon, Professor Austin, and Dr. Andrews are also providing ongoing support to bring awareness to students and library staff throughout Florida about our aging population and our patrons' needs.

Patrons over the age of 65 make up almost 20 percent of our public library patrons in Florida (State Library of Florida, 2004). Florida also has the highest percentage of people over the age of 65 in the United States (U.S. Census, 2008)! The American Library Association provided "A Dialogue With the Aging Network and the Library Community: The New Guidelines on Library and Information Services to Older Adults" at its 2009 Annual Conference in Chicago.

Sponsored by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) Reference Services Section's (RSS) Committee on Library Services to an Aging Population, highlighted how libraries are collaborating with national and local organizations that serve older adults. Participants also discussed RUSA's newly revised "Guidelines on Library and Information Services to Older Adults." Speakers included representatives from the American Society on Aging, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and AARP, along with library professionals with expertise in services to older adults.

UNESCO Literacy Prize winners for 2009 announced

A newspaper produced entirely by women in rural India is among the winners of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes this year. Innovative literacy projects in Burkina Faso, Afghanistan and the Philippines have won the other three awards, while a programme in Bhutan received an Honourable Mention. The laureates were proclaimed by the Director-General of UNESCO, Koichiro Matsuura, on the recommendation of an international Jury.

The award ceremony will take place at UNESCO in Paris on the occasion of the celebration of International Literacy Day, 8 September.
-KdlPMc

SUMMER 2009 Commencement

SUMMER 2009 Commencement
Date: Aug 8, 2009.
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Watch the Ceremony as a Netcast (choose 9am link on the right of the page) at http://www.netcast.usf.edu/browse.php?page=commencement

Congratulations to all Summer 2009 SLIS graduates. Dr. James Andrews, SLIS Director, escorted the SLIS Summer 2009 grads who walked at graduation to the Sundome. Also, congratulations to our new communications and information officer, Jessica Voss, who received her Master's in Mass Communication today.

SLIS graduates walk to the Sundome with SLIS Director Dr. James Andrews.

SLIS Students at the Commencement

Today is World Literacy Day. Literacy and Empowerment; Sept. 8

This year, International Literacy Day will put the spotlight on the empowering role of literacy and its importance for participation, citizenship and social development. Literacy and Empowerment is the theme for the 2009-2010 biennium of the United Nations Literacy Decade.
-KdlPMc

Tampa Library Celebrates Upgrade

Dr. Scott Simon performing at the USF Tampa Campus

Last Thursday, August 27, from 2 to 4pm, Dr. Scott Simon performed prior to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the USF Tampa Library Learning Commons. The Tampa Library hosted "Survivor", providing information on the Library and the Tutoring and Learning Services. The Learning Commons is an upgrade to our Tampa Library; it includes a Writing Center, Math Lab, Tutoring and Learning Service, and an "Ask Here" desk. Our University President, Judy Genshaft, was also there to mark the official opening of the Learning Commons.
EE

Roadside Attractions in Florida: Tourism and Spectacle before Disney

Florida: Tourism and Spectacle before Disney

The roadside attractions in Florida that pre-date the coming of Disney and the other larger-scale theme parks provided a unique experience for both in-state residents and out-of-state tourists alike. While some are still surviving today, the majority of the homespun roadside attractions no longer exist.

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The Florida Memory Program is funded by a Library Services and Technology Act Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Florida Department of State, State Library and Archives of Florida.
-KdlPMc