Press Releases

Clarion University Offers Winter Intersession Online

For the first time Clarion University will be offering a ÒWinter IntersessionÓ between the fall and spring terms. All the courses to be offered in the session will be delivered on-line.

Intersession is a separate term like the summer pre-session. There is a separate tuition charge, but no additional financial aid will be available. Students will only be permitted to take one class.

Classes will begin the Monday, 19 December, after the last day of the fall term examinations and run for just over three weeks until 9 January 2006.

Classes offered include: LS 501, Developing Library Collections, LS 532, Management of School Library Media Centers, and LS 577, Libraries, Literature, and the Child.

Registration begins 17 October. For complete information visit www.clarion.edu/academic/distance/winter.shtml.

For information on graduate applications visit www.clarion.edu/graduatestudies/apply.shtml.

For additional information concerning winter intersession, contact Lynne Fleisher at 814-393-2778 or lfleisher@clarion.edu.

7 October 2005.

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Buchanan Earns Additional Degree

Dr. William Buchanan, professor of library science at Clarion University, was awarded a master of science in parks and recreation during commencement ceremonies at Slippery Rock University on Saturday, 7 May.

Buchanan received his undergraduate degree at Georgia State University and also holds masters degrees in history and library science from the University of Southern Mississippi and an interdisciplinary doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Buchanan began work on the M.S. degree at Slippery Rock as a part of a sabbatical leave he was awarded by Clarion University in spring 2003.

"The idea behind the sabbatical was to develop a new area of teaching and research for my career here at Clarion," explained Buchanan. "Like most Americans, I have a great appreciation for and pride in our national parks and had been vaguely aware that some of the parks had significant libraries. The sabbatical leave gave me the opportunity to combine my professional interest in libraries with my personal interest in national parks."

For his capstone requirement Buchanan undertook a study of the National Park Service library system and its role in supporting the work of the curators, historians, interpreters, and other parks professionals who are charged with both preserving and explaining some of the nation's great natural and historic treasures such as the Grand Canyon and the Liberty Bell. The results of his study will be published later this year in Rural Libraries. 13 May 2005.

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Graduate Sudents Honored

Clarion University named its twelve Outstanding Graduate Students during a recent ceremony on campus. The Fourth Annual Graduate Student Research and Professional Activities Conference followed a reception.

The keynote speaker was Mary Pat McCarthy, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders at Clarion University. Her topic was "Care and Use of the Professional Voice."

Those participating in the conference have completed independent research or project from a graduate course or thesis. Participants had the option of participating in an oral or poster session.

Among those recognized as outstanding graduate students was M.S.L.S. candidate Karla Marsteller, who resides in Palmrya with her husband, Doug. Dr. Bill Buchanan, professor of library science, introduced Marsteller.

Oral presentations at the conference included three by library science students:

Grace Beilchick, "How eating disorders are portrayed in young adult fiction." Beilchick, is a daughter of Ronald Beilchick of Heilwood and is a graduate of Penns Manor High School.

Sarah Seaton, "Helping students achieve the standards: The role of the rural school library media center." Seaton resides in Emlenton with her husband, Mark.

Jennifer Thomas, "One database, made-to-order: Developing an Access Database to fit the needs of the Department of Library Science." Thomas is a daughter of Teresa Thomas of Baytown, Texas.

This year the conference was hosted by the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders. The organizing committee included: chair, Janis Jarecki-Liu, communication sciences and disorders; Patricia Kennedy, communication; Todd Pfannestiel, history; Jocelyn Smrekar, education; Adam Earnheardt, webmaster; and Jan McClaine, graduate studies. 10 May 2005.

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Library Science Student Presents at National Conference

Cody Ressel, a junior elementary education/library science major, was among five students and three faculty members from Clarion University who attended and presented at ther National Collegaite Honors Council National Conference, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 10-14 November. Ressel, the student director of the university's Honors Program, presented "Bridging the Gap: Makiung the Smooth Transition." The presentation took an in-depth look at effective aspects of transitions programs critical to ensire that new members of the honors community develop into contributing members. Through evaluating various tools and techniques, a model bridge for incoming honors program sutdents can be established. Ressel also serves on the Publications Board for the National Collegiate Honors Council and helped organize the Annual Newsletter Contest, served as a judge for the contest, and provided insight at the session, "How to Produce an Award-Winning Newsletter." Ressel is a son of John and Susan Ressel of Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of Solanco High School.

The Clarion University Honors Program is an academic opportunity for students whose intellectual and creative interests and abilities are beyond conventional university offerings. The program gives students the opportunity to enrich their education through specially designed courses and extracuricular involvement. 7 December 2004.

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Harhai Completes Second Doctorate

Dr. Marilyn Harhai, associate professor of library science, successfully defended the dissertation for her Ph.D. in education at Barry University on 28 October 2004. She will be hooded at commencement ceremonies at the Barry campus in Miami on 19 December.

In addition to her Ph.D., Dr Harhai holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado and a Master of Library Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Harhai's dissertation, "An Investigation of Learning Type in Relation to Performance on a Technology-Mediated Learning Module: Pedagogical Concomitance of Design and Content," was a report of her research into the learning styles of students enrolled in distance education programs.

Dr. Nancy Sayre, dean of Clarion's College of Educaion and Human Services, noted that, "Since the Department of Library Science has long been a leader in distance learning programs at Clarion and within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Dr. Harhai's research is an excellent fit with both the department and university and positions us to build on our existing strengths in this area."

11 November 2004.

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Faculty Members to Serve on Accreditation Panels

Two faculty members of the Clarion University Department of Library Science have been selected to serve on separate American Library Association accreditation panels to review graduate professional programs in library science at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, and the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

"This is a significant and important event in that it recognizes the esteem in which Clarion's library science program is held by the major library science association in the nation and by her peer institutions who also offer masters degrees in library science," said Dr. Andrea Miller, chair of Clarion's Department of Library Science and the faculty member who will serve on the accrediting review team slated to visit the University of Southern Mississippi this spring.

Dr. William Buchanan, a professor in Clarion's Department of Library Science, is on the accrediting review team assigned to Dominican University. Buchanan previously served on the accrediting review team that visited Florida State University's library science program.

"Accreditation is a vital part of educational programs in all professional fields, such as medicine, law, and theology," continued Miller, "and library science is no exception.

"Accreditation ensures that graduates of the accredited program have the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to begin working at a professional level when they receive their degrees. The American Library Association has very rigorous standards against which candidate programs in library science are measured. The standards look at such things as quality of faculty, design of curriculum, achievement of graduates, etc.

"Serving on accreditation review teams is an important part of ensuring that our nation's libraries continue to be served by well-educated professionals, and I am very pleased that two of our faculty have been called on to provide this service."

The American Library Association's Committee on Accreditation is the official accrediting authority for professional master's degrees in Library Science in the United States and Canada. Currently, only fifty library science programs in the United States are accredited, three of which are in Pennsylvania. In addition to Clarion, the programs at Drexel University in Philadelphia and the University of Pittsburgh are accredited.

Clarion's Master of Science in Library Science (M.S.L.S.) degree has been continuously accredited since 1973-1974. The department underwent an accreditation review by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association in the spring of 2003 and received another seven-year accreditation, the maximum length of accreditation offered by the American Library Association.

Clarion's M.S.L.S. and its post-M.S.L.S. Certificate of Advanced Studies program are available on the Clarion campus, at the Dixon Center in Harrisburg, at the Free Library of Philadelphia, and over the World Wide Web. The Department of Library Science also offers undergraduate programs in librarianship. For information on any of the department's programs, call 814-393-2271 or 866-272-5612 (toll-free). 8 October 2004.

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Library Science in Homecoming Court

A library science major and a Department of Library Science student assistant have been named to the 2004 homecoming court. The homecoming king and queen will ride in the homecoming parade at noon on 2 October, and be recognized during halftime ceremonies of the Clarion-Edinboro football game, which starts at 2:00 P.M.

The king and queen must be one of the six seniors in the court. They are joined on the court by four juniors, four sophomores and four freshmen. The court and eventual king and queen are chosen by student vote.

The homecoming court includes:

Amanda Blackhurst, a senior elementary education/library science major, a daughter of John and Carol Blackhurst of Erie and a graduate of Harbor Creek High School. She is sponsored by Eagle Ambassadors.

Lindsay Kevech, a junior accounting major and library science student assistant, a daughter of Alan and Pamela Kevech of Washington, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Trinity High School. She is sponsored by Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority.

21 September 2004.

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Grant to Put Instructional Technology Program Online

Dr. John McCullough, associate professor of education at Clarion University, received a $90,580 Keystone University Network Program Initiative Grant for the College of Education and Human Service's Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS) Certificate program. This grant will help to develop the program for online delivery and will directly serve technology professionals all across the state that seek to become certified Instructional Technology Specialists.

"There have been problems offering courses in this certification program, because of a need for additional faculty to teach the courses," explained McCullough. "Dr. Art Acton made us aware of the grant. It will provide funding to create a temporary faculty position to teach a course while the online courses are being written, purchase additional computer equipment, and pay for consultation and travel. Getting the courses online should help extend the certificate program throughout the state."

With the aid of the grant, Clarion University will become the first member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASHEE) to offer ITS certification online.

The Keystone University Network assists the fourteen universities and their partners by providing the infrastructure to support distance learning initiatives, identifying policies and procedures to facilitate distance education programs, coordinating marketing of distance education programs and courses, providing a responsive resource of up-to-date information for the PASHEE, and providing initial incentives, training, and development assistance to faculty.

"Throughout the 2004-2005 Academic Year, this project will provide professional development opportunities in learning and implementing online instructional design techniques, professional development opportunities in the use of eCollege, develop online versions of existing ITS Certificate courses, and develop a solid, consistent online course rotation for a cohort group," said McCullough. "All of the courses already exist, but they will be rewritten to be offered online."

Acton, Clarion University Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Extended Programs, explained the basis for the grants, "The Keystone University Network decided late last fall to use its resources to stimulate growth in web based education programs. The grant money is intended to provide startup money for proposed projects including release time for faculty and equipment and software purchases.

"Proposals were solicited. Clarion University submitted five proposals and over 30 were received from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education member institutions. The proposal from the ITS program was accepted by a review committee and forwarded to the PASHEE Chancellor for approval."

Acton's office will coordinate with McCullough's faculty group to assist in the design of the new courses, getting the courses approved, and then advertising and promoting the program.

Faculty participating in the grant are Dr. John Colantonio, Dr. Susan Courson, and Dr. Sonja Heeter of the education department, Dr. Susan Hilton of the communication department, and Dr. Andrea Miller and Dr. Marilyn Harhai of the library science department. Miller and Harhai, who have experience in offering online library science courses, will train the other participating faculty in exemplary online instructional techniques. Colantonio, Courson, Heeter, Hilton and McCullough will be developing online versions of existing ITS Certificate courses.

PASHEE approved Clarion offering an ITS certificate in 2000. At that time, Clarion became one of ten colleges in Pennsylvania with state approval to recommend individuals for ITS certification.

ITS Certificate courses include: Society, Law and Media Technology; Application for K-12 Educators; Educational Technology Leadership; Principles of Instructional Design in Educational Technology; Advanced Educational Technology; a professional seminar; Applied Design and Production; Advanced Technology Applications; Networking Media Technology Centers; Web Design for Educators; Multicultural Library Services and Sources; and Media Methods and Curriculum.

Students without teaching certification must take Analysis of Teaching and Curriculum Development and Evaluations. Candidates without technology expertise must take Educational Computer Applications.

Students admitted to the program must maintain a quality point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Some of the graduate credits earned as part of the ITS Certificate program may be applied toward a master's degree. Candidates for master's degrees in communication, library science, and education would find particular need for ITS certifiation.

McCullough said the existing classroom courses would still be available during the 2004-2005 university year. The online courses are expected to be offered for the first time for the fall 2005 semester.

The e-University of Western Pennsylvania is a collaborative venture between Clarion University's Department of Extended Programs and the School of Continuing Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. By working together, these two universities offer the opportunity to earn an entire accredited college degree--completely over the Internet. Both universities are members of PennsylvaniaÕs State System of Higher Education and are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Currently, students can in enroll in any of the following degree programs as long as they meet the admissions requirements: Associate of Arts: Arts and Sciences, Bachelors of Science in Nursing Completion Program, Master of Science in Rehabilitative Sciences, Master of Science in Library Science (a cohort program focusing on rural and small libraries), and starting in spring 2005 Master of Science in Library Science Degree with Pennsylvania School Library Media Certification.

The e-University of Western Pennsylvania web site may be visited at www.clarion.edu/euniversity. Additional information is available by contacting 814-393-223-5785.

7 September 2004.

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Homecoming Events for Clarion University Alumni

Beyond the parade and football game, alumni returning to Clarion University for Homecoming and annual Autumn Leaf Festival have a large number of other events geared toward them.

. . .

Oct. 2: Retirement breakfast honoring Dr. Charles Pineno, rooms 250-252 Gemmell Student Complex, 8:30 A.M.; Second Annual Honors Alumni Breakfast, Moore Hall, 9 A.M. (for reservations contact lhepfl@clarion.edu or telephone 814-393-2585); Library science Phi Beta Mu initiation reception, Carlson Library, 9:30 A.M.; Koinonia Alumni meeting, County Seat Restaurant, Clarion, 10 A.M.; Third Annual College of Business Administration alumni tent reception, Carlson Library lawn, 10 A.M.; Phi Sigma Kappa alumni and friends gathering, north side of Main St., east of 2nd Ave., 11 A.M.; Delta Zeta Sorority alumni picnic, Delta Zeta House, 4 P.M.; Golden Eagle Wrestling Alumni Reunion, home of Ken Nellis, 4-6 P.M.; Alpha Gamma Phi Fraternity social hour, Holiday Inn, Clarion, 6 P.M.; and Phi Sigma Epsilon social, Holiday Inn, Clarion, 6 P.M.

. . .

3 September 2004.

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Miller Elected PSLA Vice President

Dr. Andrea Miller, chair of the Clarion University Department of Library Science and graduate program director, was elected vice president/president elect of the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association. Her two-year term of office begins 1 July .

Miller will assist the PSLA's board of directors to promote the leadership role for school library media specialist in the development and implementation of curriculum in their schools; recruit dynamic people into the school library profession; and provide the leadership for this organization in defining strategies to improve library and information services for students and faculty. As conference chair, Miller will plan professional development opportunities for school library media specialist to improve and broaden their pedagogical, technological, and informational skills.

The PSLA is a state-wide organization representing over thirteen hundred members. It is an independent organization for school library professionals who serve in public, private, and parochial schools of the Commonwealth. The Association is the voice of the library media profession in Pennsylvania and is dedicated to improving school library media services for students and faculties.

24 June 2004.

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Buchanan Honored

Professor William Buchanan has received the 2004 Special Libraries Association Pittsburgh Chapter Award "in recognition of his outstanding service to the Chapter, leadership in support of Chapter strategies, and raising of Chapter's visibility." As founding advisor to Clarion University's Special Libraries Association Student Chapter, Dr. Buchanan has been instrumental in forging close ties between Clarion students and Pittsburgh-area special libraries. 21 May 2004.

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Outstanding Student Teachers Named

Seven Clarion University seniors, in three categories, shared the Outstanding Student Teachers Award for the spring 2004 semester. The students were selected from a field of thirty-one nominees, all of whom passed the Praxis I and II examinations, were recommended by their university supervisors, and presented their unit plan from their teaching experience and a work sample. Clarion University had 230 student teachers in the field during the spring 2004 semester.

Three students, Jacqueline Collier, Tracy Craig, and Brianna Smith, shared the award in the elementary education/early childhood certification category.

In the secondary education certification category, Phillip Mazorowski and Heidi Lappi shared the award.

The K-12 certification award was shared by Kristin Clinton and Rebecca Kukla. Clinton, a library science major, lives in DuBois and is a graduate of DuBois Area High School. Kukla, a special education/rehabilitative sciences major, is a daughter of Ann Kukla of Erie and is a graduate of Mercyhurst Preparatory School.

The nominees in K-12 included:

• Anna Crytzer, a library science major, and a daughter of Kay and Kurt Crytzer of New Wilmington.
• Kimberly Lutz, a communication sciences and disorders graduate student, and a daughter of Donna and Stephen Lutz of Glenshaw.

Brandon Peifer, a special education major, a son of William Peifer of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Plum High School.

11 May 2004.

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Clarion University Students in Philadelphia Urban Seminar

Twenty-eight Clarion University students are expected to join in the State System of Higher EducationÕs newest collaborative effort, the Philadelphia Urban Seminar. Twelve of the fourteen State System members are sending approximately two hundred and fifty students to participate in the program. The Clarion University students are taking the three-credit course ED 409, Field Based Multicultural Education, Observation and Analysis of the Urban Classroom, taught by Dr. Sylvia Stalker, professor of education. The students will be in Philadelphia, 9-22 May. Each of them requested a grade level and are assigned to a classroom for the three-week period.

"For the last six years, Clarion has worked in collaboration with other members of the State System to provided a better urban experience," said Stalker. "It was a loosely formed network primarily originating from IUP, and including Edinboro and Slippery Rock."

Stalker credits IUPÕs Dr. Larry Vold for designing the new program with Dr. Judy Hample, Chancellor of the State System of Higher Education, the School District of Philadelphia, and the deans of education at the participating institutes. Hample and Paul Vallas, CEO of the School District of Philadelphia, will hold a press conference, Thursday, 13 May, at 12:30 P.M., as part of the opening week of the urban seminar.

"The State System produces the largest number of teacher graduates in Pennsylvania," said Stalker. "This plan will coordinate efforts to keep these graduates in Pennsylvania and get some of them to teach in Philadelphia, which is in need of good teachers."

Vold also obtained a grant to help pay for the room and board for the two hundred and fifty students at LaSalle University in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Public School System is picking up part of this cost.

"Most of these students are from rural areas and are hesitant to take a first job in Philadelphia," said Stalker. "If this shows them that teaching in an urban setting is doable, rewarding, important, and possible, they are more likely to do it."

The student experience does not end in the classroom. They will attended an orientation session in Philadelphia on 22May and are scheduled for meetings, workshops, and seminars. Some of the topics include "Learning Can be Fun!" "Why I Came Back--You Can Make a Difference," and "Diversity--A Positive Force for Learning." There will also be visits to cultural events in Philadelphia and free time in the city.

"Everyone will also participate in a community service component," said Stalker. "We will do cleaning and paint equipment at the Norris Square Neighborhood Center and attend the Puerto Rican Festival scheduled for the same day."

This is not a new assignment for Stalker, who has been taking students to Philadelphia and other urban school districts in Lancaster, Baltimore, Maryland., and Washington D.C. since 1992. The initial experimental course lasted one-week visits during winter break. It was successful and shifted to the summer pre-session time period. The course has always included a Philadelphia visit.

The Clarion University students participating in the Philadelphia Urban Seminar include freshman library science major Geraldine Troug, a daughter of Dottie Walker of Hermitage and graduate of West Middlesex High School. 11 May 2004.

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Outstanding Graduate Students Recognized

Clarion University recognized its Outstanding Graduate Students during a reception in Carlson Library. Eleven graduate students were honored at the reception, where Clarion University President Dr. Joseph Grunenwald provided the opening remarks.

The students recognized were:

• Biology--Katherine Parys, is a daughter of Elizabeth and Kenneth Parys of Warrenton. She was introduced by Dr. Andrew Keth, assistant professor of biology.
• Business administration--Kanyarat Vongrujipas from Thailand. She was introduced by Dr. Robert Balough, professor of economics.
• Communication education and mass media technology--Luis Almeida from Butler. He was introduced by Dr. Susan Hilton, chair of the communication department.
• Communication sciences and disorders--Mary Beth Mason, a daughter of Larry and Patty Mason of Clarington. She was introduced by Dr. Janis Jarecki-Lui, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders.
• Education--Serah Njeri, a music education student, from Nairobi, Kenya. She was introduced by Dr. Marilyn Howe, assistant professor of education.
• Library science--Katherine Jenkins from Meyersdale. She was introduced by Dr. James Maccaferri, associate professor of library science.
• Nursing--Denise McKean, who resides in Butler with her husband, Kenneth. She was introduced by Dr. Joyce Penrose, nursing.
• Reading--Jamie Burgun, a daughter of Kenneth and Linda Burgun of Irwin. She was introduced by Dr. Brian Maguire, assistant professor of education.
• Science education--Christopher Klinger, a son of Henry Klinger of Wiconiscon. He was introduced by Dr. Bruce Smith, associate professor of education.
• Rehabilitative sciences--Christine Roos, a daughter of Deborah Roos of Pittsburgh. She was introduced by Dr. Rick Sabousky, professor of special education and rehabilitative sciences.
• Special education--Amy Goodman, who lives in Smethport with her husband, Chad. She was introduced by Dr. Rick Sabousky, professor of special education and rehabilitative sciences.

Musical accompaniment was provided by Carrie Kronenberger and Stacie Pawlak. Kronenberger, a senior music education major, is a daughter of Peg Kronenberger of Venetia and is a graduate of Peters Township High School. Pawlak, a junior music education major, is a daughter of David and Paula Pawlak of Natrona Heights and is a graduate of Highlands High School.

Officials from Clarion University and sister State System of Higher Education institutions, Edinboro and Slippery Rock, attended the ceremony. Clarion offers collaborative degree with both Edinboro and Slippery Rock. 27 April 2004.

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Sixty-five Named to Who's Who

Sixty-five Clarion University students, including five from the Department of Library Science, will be recognized for being named to WhoÕs Who Among Students in American Universities, 1 May, at the second-annual Diane Reinhard Awards Ceremony in the Gemmell Student Complex Multi-purpose Room.

Membership into the organization is based on academic achievement, service to the community, leadership in extra-circular activities and potential for continued success. The Clarion students join an elite group of students from more than 2,300 institutions of higher learning in all fifty states, the District of Columbia and several foreign nations.

Library science WhoÕs Who students include:

• Stephanie Best, a junior library science/secondary education/social studies major. She is the daughter of Daniel and Beverly Bishop of North Washington, and a graduate of Moniteau High School.
• Amanda Blackhurst, a junior elementary education/library science major. She is a daughter of John and Carol Blackhurst of Erie, and is a graduate of Harbor Creek High School.
• Beth McGuire, a graduate student seeking a masterÕs degree in library science. She is a daughter of Daniel McGuire of Greensburg and is a graduate of Hempfield Area High School.
• Katherine Meeder, a senior library science major. She is a daughter of Scott Meder of Hopwood and is a graduate of Laurel Highlands High School.
• Mary Elizabeth Muchow, a senior elementary education/library science major. She is a daughter of LynneDee and Mark Muchow of Elizabeth and is a graduate of Elizabeth Forward High School.

6 April 2004.

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Speaker Series to Examine Library's Role in Distance Education

The role of the library in supporting electronically mediated distance education is the subject of a two-part speaker series which begins, Thursday, 25 March, in Carlson Library.  The series will end on April 22.  Each of the 90-minute programs begins at 3:30 P.M. in the library's Level A Conference Room.

The 25 March program features a presentation by Michael Coffta and Cynthia Campbell of Bloomsburg University. The two will discuss the role of library instruction within distance education curricula and will demonstrate a fully Web-based, credit-bearing library instruction course the two developed for the support of both distance and on-campus students.  Coffta is a reference librarian, business bibliographer, and library instruction coordinator at Bloomsburg University libraries. He has a B.A. from Canisius College, an M.L.S. from the State University of New York at Buffalo, an M.B.A. from Niagara University, and is completing work on a M.S. in instructional technology (M.S.I.T.) at Bloomsburg. Campbell is a graduate student in library science at Clarion who is currently doing an internship at Bloomsburg. She has an undergraduate degree from Bucknell University and an M.S.I.T. from Bloomsburg.         

The 22April program features Jim Hutchens, assistant university librarian for systems at Nova Southeastern University. Nova Southeastern is one of the largest providers of distance education in the nation. In his presentation Hutchens will examine the technical aspects of providing library support to students in a distance education environment. Prior to becoming assistant university librarian for systems, Hutchens held positions as reference and instruction librarian and head of document delivery in the Distance and Instructional Library Services Department at Nova Southeastern. Hutchens has an undergraduate degree in history and an M.S.L.S., both from Clarion.         

"Both programs are designed to help teaching faculty and librarians think creatively about how we can work together to provide a better learning environment for students enrolled in distance education classes at Clarion," explained Deon Knickerbocker, reference librarian and one of the coordinators of the speaker series. "Like many other progressive schools, Clarion is moving very rapidly into the use of distance education technologies for the support of on-campus classes as well as classes taught at a distance either by on-site instruction or electronically mediated instruction, such as web classes," continued Knickerbocker.  "The role of the library is to provide the appropriate resources for students to achieve the learning outcomes of their classes, whether they are in Clarion or Colorado."         

"Clarion has a long tradition of being creative in successfully meeting the needs of students in its distance education programs. We hope this speaker series will help both teaching faculty and librarians build on this tradition," said Knickerbocker.         

William Buchanan, professor of library science and the other coordinator of the speaker series, said that Clarion has one of the largest distance education programs in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and noted that the library's support of distance education is one of the factors that has allowed it to grow and be successful.  "Library science alone accounts for a significant portion of the university's distance education program, with teaching sites in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh and a Web-based program which enrolls students in such diverse locations as Germany and Oregon," said Buchanan. "There is simply no way we could sustain this effort without the support of the library. However, we can't afford to rest on our laurels. The only way we can continue to be successful is to keep current with rapid emerging information technologies and think creatively about how they can be incorporated into our library services."

The speaker series is made possible by a grant from Clarion's University-Wide Faculty Professional Development Committee. For additional information on the speaker series, contact either Buchanan (buchanan@clarion.edu or 393-2447) or Knickerbocker (knickerb@clarion.edu or 393-1801). 24 March 2004.

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Spring Librarian's Conference

"Broadening Our Perspective: Exploring the Potential of Librarianship" is the theme of this year's annual professional development conference sponsored by Clarion University's Department of Library Science, scheduled for Friday, 26 March 2004, at the Rolling Hills Country Club in Peters Township, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This year's conference will feature presentations by both local and national library leaders and will be highlighted by the twenty-fifth anniversary celebration of the founding of Clarion's Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship. The conference will begin at 8:00 A.M. and end at 4:00 P.M. with a buffet luncheon buffet provided by the department. Following the conference, there will be a tour of the Peters Township Public Library, site of the department's distance education programs in the Pittsburgh area.

Speakers include Glenn Miller, executive director of the Pennsylvania Library Association; Robert Schnick, director of learning resources and educational technology at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine; and Robert Player, president of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.

"This is an exciting time for librarianship," said Dr. Andrea Miller, chair of the Department of Library Science at Clarion University of Pennsylvania and coordinator of this year's conference. "The rapid growth of the nation's electronic infrastructure is providing both challenges and opportunities for our profession. Our goal as both librarians and library science educators is to take advantage of the opportunities while limiting the negative impact of the challenges, resulting in better libraries and better services for library users. "One purpose of this year's conference is to examine ways in which to achieve these goals. Another purpose is to celebrate the many significant successes we have already achieved," continued Dr. Miller. One of the successes which will be celebrated during the conference, said Miller, is the twenty-fifth anniversary of Clarion's Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship, the nation's leading research center focused on the needs and concerns of library customers and library professionals in rural America. Miller noted that the center publishes a highly regarded peer-reviewed journal (Rural Libraries), supports research that results in articles in distinguished scholarly and professional journal such as American Libraries and Library Trends, and provided the inspiration and leadership for the department's new fully Web-based M.S.L.S. program, which targets students interested in careers in rural and small libraries. Dr. Bernard Vavrek, professor and director of the center, will preside over twenty-fifth anniversary celebration events.

Miller also noted that Player will present the Hunt Memorial Lecture, an annual lecture series named in memory of Gentry Allan Hunt, who was a graduate student in the Department of Library Science at the time of his death in 1998. The son of James and Lizzie Hunt of Cleveland, Ohio, Hunt graduated from Benedictine High School and received a B.A. in Human Services Administration from Capitol University. An avid reader and booklover, he worked at the Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Public Libraries as well as the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

For additional information on the conference and to make a reservation, contact Erin Lyons (s_emlyons@clarion.edu) or Barbara Reed (reed@clarion.edu). Reservations must be made by 17 March 2004. You may call the department toll free at 1-866-272-5612. For those Pennsylvania educators needing professional development Act 48 credits, 6 hours will be awarded for full-day participation.

The Department of Library Science has been fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) since 1974. It was recently reaccredited for seven years, the maximum period of accreditation offered by ALA. In addition to its Master of Science in Library Science degree, the department also offers undergraduate degrees in librarianship as well as a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS), a graduate certificate aimed at practicing librarians who already hold an M.S.L.S or equivalent degree. Each of the department's graduate programs (the M.S.L.S. and the CAS), can be completed on campus at Clarion, at any of the three distance education sites (Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg), or on the World Wide Web. For additional information on the department and its programs, call the toll free number above or consult the department's web site at www.clarion.edu/libsci. 3 March 2004.

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Dr. Ahmad Gamaluddin

The Department of Library Science is sad to report the passing of Dr. Ahmad Gamaluddin, professor emeritus of library science at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. He died at Clarion Hospital on 19 January.

Known to his legions of former students simply as "Dr. G," Ahmad taught at Clarion for thirty years, from 1970 to 2000, when he retired due to ill health. Ahmad received his B.A. degree from the University of Cairo in his native Egypt, a Diploma in Russian Language from the School of Foreign Languages (also in Cairo), a Master of Science in Library Science from Western Michigan University, and a certificate of Advanced Studies and a Ph.D., both from the University of Pittsburgh. Before coming to the United States., he was head of the Manuscripts Division of the Egyptian National Library. He came to the United States as an intern in the Middle East Division of the Harvard University Libraries.

During his career at Clarion, Ahmad served in various capacities in the Department of Library Science (formerly the College of Library Science), ranging from assistant professor to department chair and professor. He served briefly as interim dean. He was a frequent contributor of reviews and refereed articles to the major professional journals in the field. Two of his most enduring legacies to Clarion were the development of seven graduate courses that formed the basis of what was to become Clarion's well-known graduate M.S.L.S. program and the development of a grant-funded program to bring international students to study library science at clarion university

In recognition of his service to the department, the library science faculty voted to name the department's colloquium series in his honor.

Ahmad is survived by his wife, Connie, who is a reference librarian at Clarion University, and a daughter, Dr. Shereen Gamaluddin, a physician at Lancaster (Pennsylvania) General Hospital.

Ahmad's body will be returned to Cairo for burial. Condolences may be sent to the family at P.O. Box 119, Shippenville, Pennsylvania 16254.

21 January 2004

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Library Science to Partner with Free Library of Philadelphia

Under a recently awarded $500,000 grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Free Library of Philadelphia will collaborate with Clarion University of Pennsylvania's Department of Library Science to address the shortage of professional librarians in Pennsylvania. The project, which is entitled "Grow New Leaders Today for the Library of Tomorrow," will implement new recruitment strategies, create electronic outreach materials, and provide tuition assistance for a minimum of thirty master's level students. The focus will be on candidates who are minorities, speak foreign languages, or have an interest in children's services. Dr. Andrea Miller, chair of the Department of Library Science, noted that this project will build on the department's existing Philadelphia area program, which has been offered at the Free Library since fall 2001, by making it accessible to a broader spectrum of students. For more information, contact project director Kevin Vaughan at the Free Library of Philadelphia (215-686-5305 or vaughan@library.phila.gov). 29 October 2003.

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New Web-Based M.S.L.S. Program

A unique masterÕs degree in library science focusing on the needs of rural and small libraries has been launched by Clarion University of Pennsylvania, with the first classes being offered spring of 2004.

"The launching of this new program is both exciting and timely as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the founding of Clarion's internationally-known Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship," according to Dr. Andrea Miller, chair of the Department of Library Science. "Through the publication of its journal (Rural Libraries), the sponsorship of conferences across the nation, and the development of courses which examine the problems and opportunities of libraries in rural America, the Center has established for itself and Clarion University a unique niche in the field of library science education. The launching of this program enables us to deliver our unique brand of library science education throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, across the nation, and, potentially, around the globe."

Students admitted to the Web-based masterÕs degree will take two courses per semester (including summers) to complete the M.S.L.S. degree in two calendar years. Miller noted that while the department offers two courses which focus exclusively on rural library issues, that most of the other 10 courses which comprise the degree will be oriented to a rural audience. "For instance, our introductory course (LS 504, Introduction to the Information Professions) while it will examine all library forms and types, will have a focus on issues related to rural and small libraries," said Miller.

Citing the professional leadership provided by the Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship, Miller noted that the Center recently inaugurated librarianship's newest professional association, the Association of Rural and Small Libraries. She said that research sponsored by both the center and the association will inform and guide the coursework offered in the Web-based degree.

The first two courses in the all-Web M.S.L.S. will be offered beginning January 2004. These courses will be LS 500, Information Sources and Services, and LS 504, Introduction to the Information Professions. LS 500 will be taught by Dr. Bernard Vavrek, director of the Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship, and LS 504 will be taught by Dr. William Buchanan.

ClarionÕs M.S.L.S. degree has been continuously accredited since 1973/1974. The department underwent an accreditation review by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association and received another seven-year accreditation at the annual ALA meeting in Toronto this past summer.

Miller noted that in spring 2005 the department will launch a second all-Web M.S.L.S. degree option exclusively for school library media certification students. Like the degree option for rural and small libraries, the school library media coursework will be guided and informed by another of the departmentÕs research entities, the Institute for the Study and Development of School Library Information Centers.

Applications are now being accepted for both all-Web M.S.L.S. tracks. For additional information, call the departmentÕs toll-free number (866.272.5612) or visit its Website at www.clarion.edu/libsci. 25 September 2003.

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Young Adult Author to Speak on October 9

Ned Vizzini, author of Teen Angst? Naaah . . . : A Quasi-Autobiography, will speak to library science students at Clarion University of Pennsylvania on 9 October at 3:30 P.M. on Level A of Carlson Library. All interested students, teachers, and librarians may attend this free presentation.

Vizzini, a young teen author, will talk about his first book and his new novel, Be More Chilli, which will be made into a movie by Marimax.

He will be visiting Clarion on 7-10 October and will be author in residence at Clarion Area High School on 8-9 October. 23 September 2003.

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ALA Reaccredits M.S. in Library Science

The Master of Science in Library Science degree program at Clarion University of Pennsylvania has been fully reaccredited by the American Library Association (ALA). The decision came during the just-concluded annual meeting of ALA in Toronto during which the ALA's Committee on Accreditation (COA) voted to extend Clarion's accreditation for seven years (until 2010), the maximum accreditation period offered by ALA. The announcement was made by Dr. Andrea Miller, chair of the Department of Library Science at Clarion University.

"This is fantastic news and reaffirms what the department's faculty, staff, students, alumni, and many friends already know--Clarion's library science program is truly outstanding!" said Miller.

Often cited by Clarion administrators as one of the university's "spheres of excellence," the MSLS program is CU's largest graduate program with more than 200 graduate students taking courses on the Clarion campus, on the World Wide Web, and at distance learning sites in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and suburban Pittsburgh. In his official letter regarding Clarion's reaccreditation, Dr. Robert Wedgeworth (chair pro tem of COA), acknowledged that "accreditation of this program explicitly includes all sites offering courses that are part of the program."

According to Miller, "this statement affirms that the quality of education we offer our students at our distance education sites and over the web is on par with that being offered on the Clarion campus."

"It is very gratifying to receive national recognition," continued Miller. "We know that we work very hard to provide an excellent program, a program that is extremely complex in nature since it is delivered at multiple sites and requires the use of a variety of technologies. When the leading professional and scholarly society for the field also recognizes the commitment and energy that it takes to develop and deliver our program, then we feel truly validated."

Fully accredited by ALA since 1974-1975, Clarion's M.S.L.S. program is the only graduate ALA-accredited library science program in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and one of only three accredited programs in the Commonwealth. The other two Pennsylvania-based ALA-accredited programs are at Drexel University in Philadelphia and at the University of Pittsburgh.

"ALA accrediting standards for graduate library science programs are highly rigorous with the consequence that there are only 49 such programs in the entire U.S. that carry the ALA stamp of approval," said Dr. Miller, noting that that seven other schools in North America--the University of Puerto Rico and six Canadian universities--also have ALA accreditation.

In addition to its M.S.L.S. degree, the Department of Library Science also offers an undergraduate degree in library science and a post-MSLS Certificate of Advanced Studies. For additional information on any of the Department's programs, please call 866-272-5612 (tollfree) or visit the department's web site at www.clarion.edu/libsci. 2 July 2003.

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Tressler Named Outstanding Graduate Student

Sheila Tressler of Clarion, a Clarion University library science graduate student, is one of Pennsylvania's Outstanding Graduate Students for 2002-2003. Tressler received a plaque and a $300 award during Clarion University's Second Annual Graduate Student Research and Professional Activities Conference.

Tressler, who received her master's of science in library science degree from Clarion at May commencement, is one of four graduate students in the state to receive an Outstanding Graduate Student designation this year. The other three students were from Seton Hill University, Thomas Jefferson University, and the University of Scranton.

"I was very surprised and pleased to receive this honor from the Pennsylvania Association of Graduate Schools," Tressler said. "This award has proven to me the value of my hard work, determination, and perseverance in obtaining my bachelor's degree and the master's in library science."

In the personal statement Tressler had to submit to the association's governing committee, she described her contributions to Clarion University and the Clarion community, her research and scholarship, potential for future service to her profession, and her greatest barrier to her education.

"As a nontraditional student, I greatly value my educational experience at Clarion University," said Tressler. "The masters of science in library science program enabled me to embark upon a new career that will certainly continue to provide many wonderful opportunities in the future. All of my instructors have served as excellent role models, and I appreciate the time and attention they have devoted to my projects throughout my graduate career. Additionally, I must express my thanks to the faculty and staff of Carlson Library, who have made a valuable contribution to my professional growth. Finally, this award would not have been possible without the guidance of my advisor, Dr. William Buchanan."

Presented each year by the Pennsylvania Association of Graduate Schools, the Outstanding Graduate Student awards seek to identify and recognize "excellence in scholarship" by students engaged in postgraduate education and research in the state. The association is comprised of graduate programs at state-owned, state-related, and private universities and colleges throughout Pennsylvania.

"This is a truly outstanding achievement that reflects well on Clarion University as well as the department of library science," said Dr. Andrea Miller, chair of the department. "We are all extremely proud of Ms. Tressler and what she has accomplished."

The department of library science's M.S.L.S. program is one of only fifty graduate programs in library science in the United States accredited by the American Library Association. The department offers its M.S.L.S. curriculum on the Clarion campus as well as at distance education sites in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and suburban Pittsburgh. Many of its courses are also available on the Web. For more information on the department and its programs, call 1-866-272-5612 (toll-free) or visit its website at www.clarion.edu/libsci. 18 June 2003.

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Clarion SLA Chapter Recognized For Innovative Programming

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) Student Chapter at Clarion University has been named outstanding student chapter of the year in the "Innovative Programming" category. It will be recognized during award ceremonies this summer when SLA holds its annual international conference in New York.

"This is a truly outstanding achievement and one that is richly deserved," said Dr. William Buchanan, co-advisor to the student chapter and an associate professor in Clarion's Department of Library Science. Dr. Marilyn Harhai is the other co-advisor.

Buchanan noted that the Special Libraries Association makes Outstanding Student Chapter designations in three categories: innovative programming, leadership, and creative use of electronic products.

"We were first place in innovative programming and received second place wins in the other two categories, which is a pretty phenomenal achievement," said Buchanan, who noted that the annual competition is very keen. Among the many schools Clarion was competing against for these honors were the University of South Carolina, the University of British Columbia, the University of Maryland, and Simmons College of Boston.

Special libraries are those libraries that provide library and information services in specialized settings or to specialized clientele. Examples include law libraries, corporate libraries, museum libraries, and music libraries. The Special Libraries Association is the second largest professional association for librarians and has membership from throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific realm.

The mission of the SLA student chapter at Clarion is to provide learning opportunities for students about librarianship, generally, and about special librarianship in particular. Sponsoring speakers, field trips, and service projects related to librarianship and special librarianship help to meet this goal.

Stephanie Sweeney of Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania, outgoing SLA student chapter president, wrote the winning nominations for Clarion. Sweeney received her master of science in library science from Clarion this spring and is now employed as a school library media specialist.

In her letters of nomination she noted that the local chapter, with thirty members in Clarion and six in Philadelphia, has been very vigorous and growing this year. She noted that the chapter is involved in both the local and professional communities. In the local community, the SLA chapter has written grants to fund and develop a collection of young adult materials at the Clarion Free Library and has worked with the public library staff to develop programming for teens. The group regularly attends meetings of the Pittsburgh Regional Chapter of SLA and last year sponsored two field trips to visit special libraries in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.

"In addition to providing information about special libraries our chapter has always had as a goal the creation of a more diverse community," said Sweeney. "Toward that end, we try each year to sponsor a speaker from an underrepresented population. This year we sponsored Dr. Camila Alire, dean of libraries at the University of New Mexico and a leader in the Latino library community, who spoke on multicultural services in libraries."

Sweeney noted that in previous years the SLA student group has contributed funds to assist the Association of Library and Information Science Education to sponsor third world librarians to attend the annual meetings of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). When IFLA met in Boston two years ago, Clarion's SLA chapter not only made a financial contribution to help third world librarians attend, it also sent "welcome" packages that included Clarion tee shirts and tote bags.

"This is just another example of how our group has attempted to achieve diversity within our profession," said Sweeney.

The Clarion University Department of Library Science's M.S.L.S. program is one of only fifty graduate programs in library science in the United States accredited by the American Library Association. The department offers its M.S.L.S. curriculum on the Clarion campus as well as at distance education sites in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and suburban Pittsburgh. Many of its courses are also available on the Web. For more information on the department and its programs, call (866) 272-5612 (toll-free) or visit its website at www.clarion.edu/libsci. 18 June 2003.

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Buchanan and Harhai Honored

Library Science associate professors Dr. William Buchanan and Dr. Marilyn Harhai received the 2003 "Excellence in Service" Outstanding Employee Volunteer Awards for their work as advisors to Clarion University's Special Libraries Association (SLA) Student Chapter. They were nominated by the Student Chapter, along with letters of support from fellow SLA members and from Lynn Berard and Matt Marsteller of SLA Pittsburgh Chapter. This award is given annually by the Community Service-Learning Office and was presented at a reception on Thursday, 1 May. The SLA Student Chapter also received honorable mention for an "Excellence in Service" award as an outstanding organization and was recognized for community service hours completed by the group. 6 May 2003.

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New Student Organization Formed

Students in Clarion University's Department of Library Science haved formed a student chapter of the Society of American Archivists (SAA). Official recognition of the new organization was granted by Clarion's Student Senate on 28 April. The chapter's goal is to provide students with the opportunity to further their knowledge of archival practices and to prepare for careers in this area. Students have selected Dr. William Buchanan, associate professor of library science, as their faculty advisor.

As noted on its official Web site, "The Society of American Archivists (SAA) is North America's oldest and largest national archival professional association. SAA's mission is to serve the educational and informational needs of more than 3,400 individual and institutional members and to provide leadership to ensure the identification, preservation, and use of records of historical value."

30 April 2003.

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Muchow Receives Phi Eta Sigma Scholarship

MaryElizabeth Muchow has been selected as the recipient of an $850 Phi Eta Sigma Foundation Scholarship.

Muchow is an elementary education/library science major. She is currently serving as senior advisor to Clarion University's Chapter of Phi Eta Sigma and previously served as the vice president of the organization.

Muchow is a daughter of Mark and LynneDee Muchow of Elizabethtown and is a graduate of Elizabeth Forward High School.

The Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society Scholarship offers one cash award each year. The candidate must be a member of the Honor Society, which requires a minimum 3.5 QPA after one or two semesters. Selection is based on academic record and participation in extracurricular activities. 1 April 2003.

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New Library Association Formed

With 200 members already in the fold, the Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL), a new component of the Department of Library Science's Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship, is off to a strong start. The Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship, which is celebration its twenty-fifth anniversary, and the H.W. Wilson Foundation, Bronx, New York, are supporting ARSL.

"ARSL is open to libraries of all types including public, school, small urban branches, special and corporate, and small academic," said Dr. Bernard Vavrek, director of the Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship. "The defining characteristics are a library with a limited budget and a diverse clientele."

ARSL is being formed to meet needs expressed by the library community over the past 25 years. This includes:

• Organizing a network of individuals concerned with the development of rural and small libraries.
• Providing an opportunity for the continuing education of those involved.
• Providing the ability for individuals to exchange ideas and to meet on a sustaining basis.
• Enabling individuals to act together for mutual goals.
• Providing a source of current information for those involved.
• Collecting and disseminating information that is critical to this network.

ARSL is using the technology of the World Wide Web to create a virtual association that will meet annually at a physical location.

An ARSL membership is $39.00 per year. Those interested in joining should send the following information: name, title, library, business address, fax number, phone number, and e-mail address, along with a check made payable to Clarion University, to Association of Rural and Small Libraries, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 840 Wood St., Clarion, Pennsylvania. 16214-1232. Systems, consortia, and multi-type groups wishing a network membership should contact ARSL at arsl@clarion.edu.

Additional benefits of ARSL membership include: a 20 percent discount off the registration at the annual conference; copies of reports, policies, surveys, etc., shared by members; online access to the content of "Rural Libraries"; a subscription to the rurlib-l listserv and its archive of messages; a calendar of events contributed by members; job notices and the ability to post positions; the ability to participate in real time chat sessions conducted by library leaders on a variety of "hot" topics; and in the future the ability to enroll in courses for continuing education or academic credit. 1 April 2003.

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Berard Receives Honor

G. Lynn Berard, directory of the Engineering & Science Library at Carnegie Mellon University and a part-time temporary faculty member in Clarion University's Department of Library Science, has been named a Fellow of the Special Libraries Association (SLA). This award recognizes leadership in the field of special librarianship and outstanding contributions and expected future service to SLA. Fellows advise the association's Board of Directors, prepare documentation, and alert the SLA membership to important issues and trends. SLA is an international professional association with members in over seventy countries. 3 February 2003.

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Wools Continues Library Science Colloquium Series

Dr. Blanche Woolls, the director of the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University, will continue the Clarion University Department of Library Science Colloquium, 30 January, at 3:35 P.M. in Level A of Carlson Library. The presentation is free and open to the public.

She will speak about "The Leadership Roles of School Librarians as Exemplified by Participation in Professional Associations--PSLA, IASL & IFLA."

Woolls retired from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997 where she coordinated the school library certification program in addition to serving as chairperson of the department and of the doctoral studies committee. Prior to teaching at the University of Pittsburgh, she had both elementary and secondary building-level school library media center experience in Indiana. She also coordinated the district-level library programs in Indiana and New Mexico. Her degrees are all from Indiana University. Her Ph.D. specialties included library and information science and educational technology.

She has an outstanding record of professional service and activities, including serving as president, International Association of School Librarianship, 1998-2001; council, American Library Association, 1986-1989, 1990-1994, 1995-Present; president, American Association of School Librarians, 1992-1994; board of directors, 1983-1987, 1992-1994; president of the information systems division, Association for Educational Communications and Technology, 1977-1980; president, Beta Phi Mu, 1978-1979; board of directors, Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries, 1980-1997; vice-president, 1983-1985; president, Pennsylvania Learning Resources Association, 1984-1985; Beta Phi Mu International Honor Society Executive Secretary, 1979-1995; board of directors, International Association of School Librarians,1991-present; and coordinating board, School Libraries Section, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 1991-1999. 24 January 2003.

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Professor Subject of Malta News Article

Note: This story was published in the Tuesday, January 14, 2003, edition of The Times of Malta and concerns Dr. William Buchanan, assistant professor of library science at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Buchanan is currently spending sabbatical leave in Malta.

"American lecturer to write war book about Malta," by George Cini

Malta's ability to withstand the Italian and German onslaught during the Second World War was staggering, according to US lecturer William Buchanan. "People need to be made aware that there were other sterling occasions in history that did not involve mainly American and British players.

"The battle of Malta is one of those occasions," he said.

Prof. Buchanan, who lectures library science at Clarion University in Pennsylvania, is in Malta on a seven-month sabbatical with his wife Mary, a librarian, and their two children.

Some time ago, Prof. Buchanan started looking for books about the war aimed at children and young adults aged 12 to 15.

During his stay here, he will be interviewing people who were children during the war to write a book about their experiences.

There is a lot of literature about the war from the perspective of other cultures for children and young adults - certainly the Jewish and the American perspective.

"But there was none that I could find that focused on the battle of Malta, which is a riveting story.

"I think the world out there knows a lot about the Battle of Britain because it was so dramatic but, for whatever reason, there is not nearly as much information available to the reading public about the battle of Malta.

"Although the field of conflict was smaller, the battle of Malta was equally dramatic. The role Malta played was certainly similar in importance to the battle of Britain. The book would fill that gap".

Prof. Buchanan's original idea was to write historical fiction based on a variety of people's experiences homogenised into fictional characters.

He talked to such a person the other day who recounted how his father would take him up on the roof of the house to watch dog fights.

Planes coming from Sicily to Malta used to machine gun people they saw on roofs and the people, seeing the approaching planes, used to cover their heads with their hands and duck.

"Lilian Sciberras and Carmen Hardy had been fabulous about making contacts with people with these stories.

"The Maltese have just been fabulously gracious. Their willingness to talk to me and open up and see me as a friend made me feel very good".

He hopes to accomplish most of the ground work during the sabbatical.

He has done a lot of reading about the battle of Malta and he will be weaving all that together to find a story line that best fits his idea.

"I hope to get an historical novel out of this which would be more appealing to a young adult audience than a non-fiction book.

"I am hoping that by the time I go back to the teaching faculty in late summer, I will have the book well under way.

The book's major selling point will be a story that has not been written before. Most books about the war for young adults are consistently good sellers. There is a built-in market in terms of the interest of people in that particular subject.

"The book will educate people in geography as well. Half the people I talked to about my work in Malta - college graduates who have written books themselves - did not know where Malta is.

"We feel very safe here. People have more of a sense of being in control, knowing what is going on around them as opposed to a huge country like America.

"It is good to be in a child friendly, very safe country.

"In America, most homes have a basement and that is typically where the laundry room is. In a lot of Maltese homes, the laundry room is on the roof. "My son was helping Carmen hang the clothes a couple of days ago and he told her that her house was upside down.

"Coming to a place where you can visit the entire country is another amazing thing about Malta."

Professor Buchanan may be contacted at buchanan@clarion.edu.

This article may also be viewed at http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=117230. 24 January 2003.

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Alire to Open Library Science Colloquium Series

Dr. Camila Alire, dean of libraries at the University of New Mexico will be the presenter at the opening program of the 2003 Clarion University Department of Library Science Colloquium. AlireÕs presentation is scheduled for 23 January at 3:35 P.M. in 215 Carlson Library. It is free and open to the public.

This colloquium will be an experiment in delivering colloquium to all of Clarion's teaching sites across Pennsylvania. Alire will be speaking from the American Library Association Midwinter Conference in the Urban Center Site at Philadelphia. Her presentation will be broadcast to a variety of sites including Clarion University, the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg, and Soutpointe Center near Pittsburgh. Clarion University offers library science courses in all three locations.

Alire, a member of Clarion's library school's external advisory committee, will focus her presentation on academic libraries and services to Latino populations. Her research focuses on library services for Latinos and other minorities, on library disaster recovery, and on recruitment and retention of minorities in the library profession and in higher education. She has presented workshops all over the United States on library services to the Latino community. She has authored two books and published in various library journals mostly in the area of recruitment and retention.

Besides her current job, Alire has served as a professor and dean of University Libraries at Colorado State University; dean/director of the Aurora Library of the University of Colorado at Denver, where she previously served as assistant director for instruction and research services; director of the Learning Resource Center at Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado Springs; assistant to the dean/director at the University of Denver Graduate School of Librarianship and Information Management; librarian/information specialist for Mathematica Policy Research, Denver; and, library director for McCook College, McCook, Nebraska.

Alire has received a number of awards for her leadership and contributions to library services. In Colorado, she was the first chair of the Colorado State LibraryÕs Statewide Committee on Library Services to Ethnic Populations (EthnicPops). Her legacy with the EthnicPops Committee included designing and implementing the Minority Scholarship Program for graduate library students, and designing and implementing the minority mentoring program of minority librarians and paraprofessionals. She contributed to a manual on the recruitment and retention of minority library personnel published by the Colorado Department of Education. For her understanding service, Alire was the first recipient of the Colorado Library AssociationÕs award for "Exemplary Library Services to Ethnic Populations" granted at the CLA Annual Conference. She also received the first national ALA award, the Elizabeth Futasâ Catalyst for Change Award.

The next colloquium is 30 January, at 3:35 P.M. in Level A of Carlson Library. Dr. Blanche Woolls, the director of the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University, will visit Clarion to speak about "The Leadership Roles of School Librarians as Exemplified by Participation in Professional Associations." 21 January 2003.

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Graduate Student Exhibits Photos

Cynthia Wilson, a graduate student in Clarion University's Department of Library Science's Philadelphia-based master's degree program in library science, exhibited photos at the State System of Higher Education's Women's Conference hosted by Clarion University in November.

What appears to be an unusual combination of fields, works well for Wilson. She became interested in library science while working in the library at Temple University. "I was looking for a program that had a good combination of the traditional library values with the incorporation of new technology and Clarion had it," said Wilson.

Originally from Churchville, Wilson became involved in photography when she received her first camera at age ten. Her first shots were the start that led her to her current photographic work.

Wilson attended Beaver College (now Arcadia University) where she received a bachelor's of art degree in communication and a minor in music in 1998.

After graduation, she pursued a career in photography by working at Larmon Photo in Doylestown and working in the lab at New York Camera and Video. She also freelanced for the Time Publishing Group.

Wilson's first photographic exhibition was in the library gallery of Beaver College where she combined short poems with her black and white work, which focused on landscapes and portraiture. She took first place in the Interiors category of an Old House Expo for a photo taken inside the Eastern State Penitentiary. She has also shown her work at the Prufrock Café in Lambertville, New Jersey, the Learning Studio in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and Temple University's Diamond Club. She sold all three of her photos at the State System's Women's Conference in Clarion.

Currently living in Philadelphia, she works full-time as a library assistant for Reed Smith LLP. After earning her Master's, Wilson would like to combine her careers of library science and photography.

"I feel that there will be many more options for my career after I graduate with my masters," said Wilson. "I would like to learn about film preservation and possibly go into the preservation aspect of library science. That would connect both my love of photography and libraries." 7 December 2002.

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M.S.L.S. Student Publishes Bibliography

Thomas Tobin, a master's student in the library science program, has published a bibliography on the critical reception of a nineteenth-century artistic and literary movement. "Pre-Raphaelitism in the Nineteenth-Century Press: A Bibliography," was published by English Literary Studies.

Tobin and his wife, Mary Ann, reside in Munhall.

The 232 page book sells for $25. Further information is available at http://www.engl.uvic.ca/els/CurrentSeries.html. 30 October 2002.

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French Scholar to Present Program

Paul McDonald, associate professor of French at the University of North Carolina at Asheville and one of the nation's foremost authorities in the field of French Benedictine history, will present a public program on the scholarly activities of the Benedictine monks of the abbey of St. Germain des Pres on Thursday, 24 October, at 3:30 P.M. in Hart Chapel. Titled "A Great Historical Enterprise: The Maurists, Their Work, Their Library," the program will focus on both the research as well as the library building activities undertaken by the monks during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The program is jointly sponsored by the Department of Library Science and the Department of History. McDonald holds an undergraduate degree in history and classical languages from Manhattan College, a master's degree in history from Brown University, and a doctorate in history from the University of Paris. Prior to joining the University of North Carolina faculty he was an ordained Benedictine and held pastorates in the United States, Canada, and France.

"\The Maurists were a group of Benedictine monks in France in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries whose center was at the abbey of St-Germain-des-Pres in Paris. For over 150 years they were engaged in a project of research, writing and publication that made them one of the great examples in modern times of collaborative scholarship. They published editions of the works of the church fathers, Latin and Greek, many of which have been superseded only in the twentieth century; histories of the saints, of the Benedictine order, of the provinces and the dioceses of France, of French literature; and a series of fundamental works establishing ancillary historical sciences such as diplomatics and paleography. Their library at St-Germain-des-Pres was one of the richest in Europe; transferred to the state during the French Revolution, its manuscripts, correspondence, and printed works form one of the jewels in the collections of the Bibliotheque Nationale. 21 October 2002.

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Carlson Library Dedicated

Marked by a state-of-the-art technological ribbon cutting, fireworks, music, poetry, and oration from Dr. Elizabeth Rupert, Clarion University dedicated the new, revitalized $14.6 million Rena M. Carlson Library on Saturday.

Rupert, the featured speaker, centered her message on, "Carlson Library: A Historical Perspective." Rupert, who earned her undergraduate degree in library science, worked at Clarion University from 1961 to 198585, serving as professor and dean of library science, and as first woman interim president of Clarion University from 1 December 1976 until March 1977.

Building her address around the ideas of, "give me a library and a university can be built around it," and "the library is the heart of a university," Rupert talked about the evolution of the libraries at Clarion University from its original home in Seminary Hall to its modern new facility.

"I think of the library as an organism that grows," said Rupert. "All of this is enhanced by a staff that makes it user friendly. The library is a key factor in Clarion University leading the State System of Higher Education with twenty-six accredited programs.

"With this dedication Clarion's library moves into the twenty-first century. This answers the question, `How well have we done?' Very well, indeed."

President Diane L. Reinhard, making use of modern technology, pressed a key on a laptop computer to electronically cut the ribbon opening the library. The ribbon cutting preceded a daytime fireworks display from the roof of the Carlson Library.

Reinhard gave the welcome and introduced guests including Clarion County Commissioners Donna Hartle and Bill Campbell, Clarion Mayor Bill Smathers, and Clarion University trustees Dr. Syed Ali-Zaidi, Oleta Amsler, and Richard Hilinski.

Amsler provided greetings from the Clarion University Council of Trustees. Howard McGinn, dean of University Libraries introduced Rupert and acknowledged those involved in the library construction.

"There are questions about the need for a library," said McGinn during his remarks. "By this dedication we are asserting that the book is not dead, that words on paper have value. This rekindles the vision of the library. The library is the intellectual center of the university."

Milutin Lazich, associate professor of music, led the National Anthem. Rev. Jim Faluszczak, Catholic Campus Minister, delivering the invocation. Dr. Phil Terman, associate professor of English, read a dedicatory ode. Clarion University's Lift Every Voice Choir provided music. Library tours followed the dedication ceremony.

Clarion University's state-of-the-art library is physically highlighted by elegant views of campus through its large windows and an interior design rich with artwork. Opening in March, the library has already served 144,000 patrons, or 2,000 to 2,200 per day.

The first floor features the reference area, periodical reading area, part of the 150 computers located throughout the library and in its four computer labs, and group study areas and rooms.

The second floor is the home for Clarion University's nationally accredited Department of Library Science, part of the College of Education and Human Services, and the Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship. Library science has its classroom and computer laboratory on this floor.

The third floor holds the vast majority of the library's book collection and includes offices for all data base construction and book processing.

Level A, below the first floor, is the center of the library's cultural activities. This floor has room for seating up to one hundred. Several classes meet on a regular basis on level A, and it has already been used for a concert, a banquet, meetings, an open microphone poetry night, and a debate competition.

This floor is also the designated area for recognizing Clarion University's academic history and achievements by students and faculty. The area, designed the "Center for Academic Excellence," will be a joint program of the Honors Program and the library. An area is being set aside to display academic trophies and honor those who have received academic awards.

Also located in Level A is the University Art Gallery. The Gallery opened in April, replacing the Sandford Gallery in the Marwick-Boyd Fine Arts Building. The large exhibit area features adjustable track lighting and C-net access. It has the potential for a variety of traditional exhibits and more contemporary artworks such as video, installation, and computer generated art. The rest of Level A includes textbooks, the juvenile collection, the Frederick Douglass Collection, and the Clarion University archives.

Technology is prominent throughout the library. Level A's computer laboratory, in a joint project with the department of special education, features adaptive technology for the disabled. Besides traditional computer networking, the library is wireless. Computers in use within the library and even outside on the library grounds do not need to be connected by wire to the network system. Patrons may check out one of twenty-four laptop computers at the circulation desk for use in the library, and wireless modem cards will be available for those using their own laptop computers.

Books were not forgotten among the new technology. Provost Joseph Grunenwald granted the library a $50,000 increase in its book budget this year and an additional $20,000 to develop the library's Frederick Douglass Collection.

The library project started in September 2000, with the demolition of the thirty-seven-year-old classroom wing of the Library. A new addition was built on that site and integrated with the present Carlson Library, constructed in 1970. During the two-year project, both the library collection and its staff were housed in various facilities both on and off campus.

Most of the furniture contracts for the library were awarded in Pennsylvania. The furniture contract with Brodart of Williamsport prevented projected layoffs at the company. The library's computers were purchased Computer Showcase of Seneca. 16 October 2002.

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Clarion Named ALA Student Chapter of the Year

The winner of the 2002 ALA Student Chapter of the Year Award is Clarion University of Pennsylvania's chapter. The ALA New Members Round Table (NMRT) presents the award. The runner-up for this year's award is the student chapter at the University of California, Los Angeles. The Clarion University ALA Student Chapter is recognized for outstanding programming efforts, excellence in communiations with both on-campus and remote members, and unique fundraising techniques; additionally, the chapter nearly doubled their membership. A great deal of Clarion's success with programming stems from their strong record of community service, for which the ALA Student Chapter has won a Community Service Recognition Award to acknowledge their work with the community and the university. The group received a certificate of recognition at the NMRT Students to ALA Reception at the annual conference in Atlanta.

The Student Chapter of the Year Award is presented in recognition of a chapter's outstanding conributions to ALA, its school, and the profession. The purpose of the award is to increase student involvement in ALA through student chapters and to recognize future leaders in the profession. Offical ALA Student Chapters are organizations formed by ALA student members at schools offering ALA-accredited programs of library and information studies. This year's award was co-sponosred by the ALA Membership Committee and the Student Chapter Outreach Committee of NMRT.

Quoted from Footnotes (August 2002), 3.

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Graduate Students Honored

Clarion University recognized its outstanding graduate students during a ceremony in Chandler Dining Hall. Eleven students were recognized as "Outstanding" by their individual departments. They include:            

• Biology. Jason Coombs, a son of Michelle Coombs of Powlison and a graduate of Millerstown High School. He was introduced by Dr. Roger McPherson, professor of biology.            
• Business.
• Sinisa Balent, a daughter of Ivan Balent of Zagreb, Croatia. She was introduced by Dr. Bob Balough, professor of economics.             Communication Education and Mass Media Technology
• Sufana Chowdhury from Laguna Hills, Cal. She was introduced by Dr. Art Barlow, associate professor of communication.     
• Communication Sciences and Disorders. Stephanie Trifelli, a daughter of Gino Trifelli of Curwensville and is a graduate of Curwensville High School. She was introduced by Dr. Janis Jarecki-Lui, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders.            
• Elementary Education. Melissa Wolfgong, who resides in Oil City with her husband, Edward, and is a graduate of Rocky Grove High School. She was introduced by Dr. Brian Maguire, assistant professor of education.            
• English. Laura Yencsik, a daughter of Ronald Yencsik of Emlenton. She was introduced by Dr. Janet Knepper, assistant professor of English.     
• Library Science. Gabriella Miller, who resides in Gibsonia, with her husband, Tom. She was introduced by Dr. Andrea Miller, assistant professor of library science.            
• Nursing. Kimberly Davis, who resides in Polk with her husband, Thomas, and is a graduate of Cranberry Area High School. She was introduced by Dr. Mary Kavoosi, assistant professor of administrative science.            
• Reading. Jenny Mumford, who resides in Oil City with her husband, Andrew. She was introduced by Dr. Brian Maguire, assistant professor of education.            
• Science Education. Brent Henderson, who resides in Titusville with his wife, Patricia. He was introduced by Dr. Bruce Smith, director of science education.            
• Special Education. Amy Greene, a daughter of Colleen Greene of Smethport. She was introduced by Dr. Rick Sabousky, assistant professor of special education and rehabilitative science.            

Dr. Joseph Grunenwald, provost and vice president for academic affairs, gave the opening remarks. Closing remarks were accompanied by music from Carrie Kronenberger and Marjorie Read. Kronenberger, a freshman music education major, is a daughter of Peg Kronenberger of Venetia and is a graduate of Peters Township High School. Read, a sophomore elementary education major, is a daughter of Claudia Read-Rex of Clearfield and is a graduate of Clearfield High School. 3 May 2002

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Miller Invited to Serve on ALA Committee

Dr. Andrea Miller, assistant professor of library science, has accepted an invitation from American Library Association (ALA) President-Elect Maurice J. Freedman and to serve as a member of the Awards Committee for a two-year term beginning at the end of the 2002 Annual Conference and expiring at the end of the 2004 Annual Conference. The ALA Awards Committee makes recommendations to the ALA Executive Board and the ALA Council on all policies relating to awards to be made or sponsored by ALA and its units. It administers the general awards and scholarships presented in the name of the American Library Association, known as "ALA Awards." 30 April 2002.

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Faculty/Graduates Active at PSLA

Clarion University faculty and graduates were active participants in the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA), 18-20 April at Hershey.             Several Clarion graduates were candidates for PSLA positions. Anita Vance, who received here masters of science in library science in 1996 and is currently a high school librarian at Chestnut Ridge High School, is a candidate for PSLA vice-president/president-elect. Lauraine Lindbloom, who received a bachelor degree in library science in 1979 and is a librarian at Hallowell Elementary School, is a candidate for treasurer.            

Up for reelection to PSLA's board of directors is Allison Hutchinson, a 1982 masters of science in library science graduate and current librarian at Bald Eagle Area High School. Eleanor Howe, a 1993 masters of science in library science recipient and librarian at Pine-Richland High School, is a member of the Media Selection and Review committee and serves on the staff of Learning & Media, the PSLA's journal.            

Five Clarion University faculty and graduates were among the PSLA presenters.            

• Dr. Andrea Miller, associate professor of library science and a library science at Clarion University, presented "Navigating Old Traditions:  Storytelling with Technology." Miller received her library science degrees from Clarion in 1978 and 1991 and an English degree from Clarion in 1982.            
• Janice Albright, a 1975 Clarion graduate with a bachelors degree in library science/elementary education and a librarian in the Connellsville Area School District, presented "The Campaign for America's Libraries."            
• Deborah Angiolieri, a 1995 Clarion graduate and a library media specialist in the Franklin Area School District, presented "Charting the Web Waters with Your Students."            
• Dr. Patricia Kolencik, instructor of education at Clarion University, presented "Click and Cheat:  Plagiarism in the Information Age."            
• Dr. Celeste DiCarlo Nalwaski, assistant professor of library science, presented, "Wonging! Your Library Media Center: The Principles and Best practices of Harry and Rosemary Wong."            

Dr. Blanche Wolls, director of the San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science and a member of Clarion University's Library Science External Advisory Committee presented "The Best Way to Ask." Dr. Martha Smith, associate professor of library science at Clarion University, along with Miller and Nalwaski greeted Clarion alumni and new students at the conference.            

This level of alumni participation is not accidental. Clarion faculty encourage library science students to become involved professionals. The Department of Library Science supports the student chapters of both the American Library Association (ALA) and the Special Libraries Association. With financial assistance from the ALA Student Chapter and the Student Senate, eight Clarion University students attended the conference.            

For more information about the Department of Library Science and its program, visit the website at www.clarion.edu/libsci or call 1-866-272-5612.

26 April 2002.

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Student to Attend Treasure Mountain Ten Conference

            Clarion University library science graduate student, Gabriella Miller, is the recipient of a Treasure Mountain Scholarship. The scholarship covers her attendance at the Treasure Mountain Ten Conference at the Elms Center, Kansas City, Missouri., 30 May-2 June. Miller is one of twenry scholarship recipients nationwide. She is married to Tom Miller and resides in Gibsonia. Also attending the conference from Clarion University is Dr. Andrea Miller, associate professor of library science. The goals of Treasure Mountain Ten at the Elms conference are to encourage scholars to enter the field of higher education in school library media; to explore research initiatives and methods pertaining to information literacy, instruction, and student achievement kindergarten to college; to explore the research methods which measure relationships between student achievement and school library media program; and to support new researchers and research related to learning and information literacy in a diverse world. Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a university partner in the organization along with Emporia State University, Indiana University at Indianapolis, Kent State University, and the University of Washington. Corporate partners are the American Association of School Librarians and School Library Media Research; Highsmith, Libraries Unlimited; LMS Associates; Teacher Librarians; and the Association for Educational Communication and Technology. Individual partners are Yvonne B. Carter and Ken Haycock.             Ten of the twenty Treasure Mountain Scholarships are granted to individuals who have interest in teaching and research in higher education with emphasis in school library media.  Each scholarship provides one round-trip airplane ticket, three dinner meals, and lodging for three nights at the Elms.

Two categories for the scholarships have been established:  Judy Pitts Scholars and Treasure Mountain Scholars. Treasure Mountain Scholarships are awarded to students currently enrolled in an ALA-accredited masters degree program, or individuals who hold a master's degree in library science or educational technology or related field, and who plan to pursue admission to a doctoral program within the coming two years. The student's research interests and teaching experiences should focus on information literacy, instructional design, student learning and achievement, and/or diversity (culture, gender, ability) issues in information seeking and use. The student should identify potential doctoral programs of interest and likely programs to which the student plans to apply. The Judy Pitts Scholarships are awarded in the memory of Dr. Judy Pitts, former assistant professor in school media at Emporia State University, former editor of School Library Media Quarterly, former school media specialist, and an inspiration to hundreds of educators. Ten scholarships are awarded to selected students who have recently entered or will enter a Ph.D. program in library and information science or a related field, such as education, instructional technology, or curriculum. The students' research interests should focus on information literacy and instruction, student learning and achievement, and/or diversity (culture, gender, ability) issues in information seeking and use.

Clarion, one of only fifty-six U.S. and Canadian graduate programs in library science accredited by the American Library Association, has offered library science education since the 1930s and has held the prestigious American Library Association accreditation since 1974-75. For more than ten years, the department has offered course work in library science at various sites in Pennsylvania, including State College and Harrisburg, and in the state of Maine. The department currently offers its masterÕs program in Harrisburg at the Dixon University Center, in Canonsburg at Southpointe Center, and at the Free Library of PhiladelphiaÕs Central Library. Courses via the World Wide Web are also available.

For more information on the department and its programs, visit its website at www.clarion.edu/libsci or call its toll free number, 866-272-5612.

12 April 2002.

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ALA Student Chapter Active in Community

The Clarion University Student Chapter of the American Library Association (ALA) is active in its support of library services to the area and the world.

The ALA student chapter is open to all students. It seeks to promote librarianship through field trips and academic speakers while supporting library efforts. In addition to the chapter at Clarion University, there are regional chapters, at Southpointe near Pittsburgh and the Dixon Center in Harrisburg. Work is underway to establish a regional ALA student chapter at Philadelphia, where Clarion University also offers library science courses leading to an American Library Association accredited master of science in library science degree.

The Clarion chapter is currently conducting a young adult book drive directed by its student president Mary Anne Snyder. Donated books will be given to shelters and safe houses in the Clarion area. Snyder, a sophomore elementary education/library science major, is a daughter of William and Donna Snyder of Fenelton, and is a graduate of Butler High School.

A "Book Fair" was recently held by the ALA at the Clarion Free Library. The project raised $600, which was donated to the Children's Room at the Clarion Free Library. Gabriella Miller coordinated the fundraiser. Miller, a library science graduate student, resides with her husband, Tom, in Gibsonia.

At Southpointe, regional ALA student chapter coordinator Coni Francisco is conducting a children's book drive. The collected books will be sent to an elementary school in the Philippines. Francisco, a library science graduate student, resides with her husband, Felix, in Washington.

The Clarion ALA student chapter is sponsoring students to attend the annual Pennsylvania School Library Association meeting held each year in Hershey. Eight students from Clarion campus will be attend the April meeting, along with many students from the other regional sites.

Clarion, one of only fifty-six graduate programs in library science accredited by the American Library Association, has offered library science education since the 1930s and has held the prestigious American Library Association accreditation since 1974-75.

For more than ten years, the department has offered course work in library science at various sites in Pennsylvania, including State College and Harrisburg, and in the state of Maine. The department currently offers its master's program in Harrisburg at the Dixon University Center, in Canonsburg at Southpointe Center, and at the Free Library of PhiladelphiaÕs Central Library. Courses via the World Wide Web are also available.

For more information on the department and its programs, visit its website at www.clarion.edu/libsci or call its toll free number, 866-272-5612.

9 April 2002.

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Spring Librarian's Conference in Harrisburg

Clarion University's Spring Librarian's Conference is scheduled 5 April at the State System of Higher Education's Dixon University Center in Harrisburg. This is the first time this conference has been held off the Clarion University campus.

The conference is scheduled for 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. The featured speakers include: Gary Wolfe, Commissioner of Libraries for Commonwealth Libraries, "The State of Commonwealth Libraries."

• Frank Daly, executive director, Book Industry Study Group, New York, New York, leading a panel in a discussion, "The World Awash in Bits and Bytes: The Information Industry."
• Elliot Shelkrot, president, Free Library of Philadelphia, "Picking a Future for the Public Library."
• Satia Orange, director, Office for Literacy and Outreach Services, American Library Association, Chicago, Illinois, "Reaching Beyond the Tradition."
• Rich Sweeney, University Librarian, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, "Four Key Academic Library Trends."
• Lut Nero, director of libraries, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, will make the "Gentry Hunt Colloquium Presentation."

The Hunt Colloquium Series is named in honor of the late Gentry Allan Hunt (1964-1998). Hunt was a library science graduate student at Clarion University at the time of his death. Hunt was the son of James and Lizzie Hung of Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Benedictine High School and attended Capital University, receiving his B.A. degree in human services administration. He enjoyed reading, studying maps, and traveling. His interest in books began when he worked as a page at the Cleveland Public Library and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He was employed at the Cuyahoga County Public Library for five years.

Dr. Bernard Vavrek, professor of library science at Clarion University, will welcome the participants. For more information or to register, contact the Clarion University Department of Library Science at 814-393-2271 or 866-272-5612 (toll free).

Clarion, one of only fifty-six U.S. and Canadian graduate programs in library science accredited by the American Library Association, has offered library science education since the 1930s and has held the prestigious American Library Association accreditation since 1974-1975.

For more than ten years, the department has offered course work in library science at various sites in Pennsylvania, including State College and Harrisburg, and in the state of Maine. The department currently offers its master's program in Harrisburg, Canonsburg (South Point) in suburban Pittsburgh, and at the Free Library of Philadelphia's Central Library.

For more information on the department and its programs, visit its website at