Pacific Islands Association of Libraries Archives, and Museums (PIALA) November 13-16, 2012 in Guam

Students, staff, and faculty of The University of North Texas - Department of Library and Information Sciences (UNT/DLIS) LEAP program will be in attendance at the 22nd Annual PIALA Conference from November 13-16th in Guam. This year's conference theme is "RESET: Information Services Trends in 2012". This year's Keynote Speaker is Dr. Jon Fernandez, Superintendent of the Guam Department of Education. The Opening Dinner will also have speeches by the Governor and First Lady of Guam Eddie and Christine Calvo. There will be professional development sessions, networking workshops, employment recruiters and library tours. On Friday November 16th a Post-Conference session on Disaster Preparedness will be held as well. LEAP students in attending can find more information by clicking on the following link: https://sites.google.com/site/pialaorg/

Pacific Educational Conference & LEAP Cohort Graduation Celebration July 15 - 19th, 2013 in Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands

Students, staff, and faculty of The University of North Texas - Department of Library and Information Sciences (UNT/DLIS) LEAP program will be in attendance at the Pacific Educational Conference in Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands on the campus of Marianas High School Campus in Susupe. This year's theme is What Matters Most: Every Single Child, Every Single Day. Students particularly interested in the information profession strands of Instruction, Leadership, Parent and Community Engagement, and Policy should be in attendance. Members of the LEAP cohort will be in attendance to give presentations on papers they have written, their specific information science interests, their experience within LEAP and as students within the UNT SLIS MLIS program. During the PEC Conference UNT SLIS will also celebrate the graduation of the inaugural cohort of LEAP scholars. More information on this upcoming conference can be found at: http://www.prel.org/pec2011.aspx

Web Institute Concluded in Guam on August 19th

The University of North Texas - Department of Library and Information Sciences (UNT/DLIS) LEAP Web Institute was held August 10th through August 19th on the island of Guam at the Outrigger Resort in Tumon. Thirty-four students began study for their Master’s degrees at the nine-day Institute. The students embarked on a two-year academic program culminating in a graduation to be held in Saipan. The Web Institute portion of the Master’s program included orientation, technology training, and instruction in the Master’s program core courses, as well as time to socialize with Institute colleagues and faculty. The cohort took tours of libraries in Guam, including the University of Guam Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library, the Micronesian Area Research Center, and the Guam Public Library. The cohort includes 23 scholarship recipients from the IMLS funded LEAP Scholarship program. This program is funded through a grant received by a collaboration of three institutions: The Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, the University of North Texas Libraries, and the UNT Department of Library and Information Sciences. When this cohort graduates in August 2013 there will be a new generation of librarians in the Pacific area. Check out pictures of all of the Web Institute activities from Guam.

23 students selected for UNT/LEAP Scholarship program

Congratulations LEAP Scholarship recipients. Twenty-three students from Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Palau, and Yap received full tuition scholarships. The UNT/PREL Library Education for the U. S. Affiliated Pacific scholarships are supported from grantfunding awarded by the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program by the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS). From this funding each student will receive a laptop computer, a stipend to assist in paying internet connectivity, professional association membership in the American Library Association and the Pacific Association of Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and travel support. Read about each of these excellent students on the LEAP Scholarship Recipients page.

UNT/DLIS Master’s Degree Program

The Master’s degree program prepares information professionals for work in a variety of roles and application settings, including various information agencies and all types of libraries. The program requires that all students complete 36 hours of coursework including nine hours of core courses.   

Students will enroll in the University of North Texas blended learning program, a 36 credit-hour program combining:

  • Intensive in-person, nine-day institute in August 2011 held at the Outrigger Resort in Guam, FSM and complete the rest of the degree online
  • Distance learning (on-line) courses delivered via the Web (at least two courses per semester for six academic semesters)

The Web Institute portion of the Master’s program includes an orientation, technology training, and instruction in the Master’s program core courses as well as time to socialize with Institute students and faculty.  This group will form social bonds during the intensive Institute study that will continue and expand throughout the online portion of the program using a variety of communication tools. The University of North Texas is committed to this cohort approach as it provides the foundation for a vibrant learning community.

About UNT

Today UNT is one of the largest universities in Texas, enrolling more than 36,000 students. With a history that began more than 80 years ago, the Department of Library and Information Sciences (DLIS) holds a prominant and venerable position at the University. The school’s mission is to prepare graduates for significant roles and leadership positions in an era when decisions regarding the selction, organization, and retrieval of information are of critical importance to society. Since 1965, the American Library Association has continuously accredited the Master’s program.

UNT/DLIS is ranked as one of the Best Graduate Schools for Library and Information Studies Programs by the U.S. News and World Report. The Health Librarianship program is ranked third in the nation. Currently students can pursue the master’s degree by attending classes on campus, taking Web-based courses or a combination.

The UNT/DLIS has an enrollment of about 1,000 students and awards about 200 master’s degrees annually.

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