Dr. Carolyn Brodie Awarded the 2008 Scholastic Library Publishing Award
Dr. Carolyn S. Brodie, professor, School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University, has been awarded the 2008 Scholastic Library Publishing Award from the American Library Association (ALA). The annual award is bestowed on a librarian whose extraordinary contributions to promoting access to books and encouraging a love of reading for lifelong learning exemplify outstanding achievement in the profession. The award will be presented Tuesday, July 1, during the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California, and Brodie will receive a $1000 prize donated by Scholastic Library Publishing.
Brodie has devoted her career to children's literature and youth librarianship. Her expertise and passion have influenced and inspired children's librarians and school librarians in Ohio and across the country, who in turn have passed this on to the countless children they serve. She has been on the faculty at Kent State School of Library and Information Science since 1989 and received the 2005 Kent State University Distinguished Teaching Award.
Brodie holds a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in educational media from the University of Central Arkansas, a master's degree in library science from the George Peabody College for Teachers of Vanderbilt University and a master's degree in educational administration and a doctorate in library and information science from Texas Woman's University.
Her numerous accomplishments include:
- Creating the Reinberger Children's Library Center at Kent State, which consists of a state-of-the-art classroom and videoconferencing facility for students interested in reading, children's literature and youth librarianship inside a functioning children's and young adult library.
- Obtaining the Marantz Picture Book Collection, which consists of more than 21,000 donated picturebooks to be placed in the Reinberger Children's Library Center.
- Chairing and or serving on a variety of committees with the American Library Association and Association for Library Services to Children, including the Newbery, Caldecott and Notable Children's Books committees, the ALSC Board of Directors and the ALA Council.
- Principally or co-principally investigating more than 15 grants representing more than $5 million from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and other funding sources for educating hundreds of public and school librarians serving youth.
- Co-principally investigating a United States Department of Education (USDE) grant and an IMLS grant, which together disbursed more than $2.75 million in federal funds, to create the now nationally recognized Institute for Library and Information Literacy Education (ILILE).
- Co-directing the Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth at Kent State University from 1989 to the present.
- Writing extensively on children's literature, youth librarianship and school libraries.
- Presenting hundreds of workshops and programs on youth literature, information literacy and librarianship.
"It is a great honor to be recognized for this prestigious award," said Brodie. "I am indebted to the many mentors, colleagues, and students who have inspired and taught me throughout my professional career. In particular, I am grateful and honored to have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Greg Byerly, my long-term colleague at Kent State, who has been my partner on numerous projects that have made a positive impact on our students, our school and the profession at large."
Dr. Richard Rubin, director, School of Library and Information Science, said the recognition confirms the fact that over the past twenty years Brodie has worked to establish one of the most prestigious and well-known youth librarianship programs in the country at Kent State.
"For many years, Dr. Brodie was singularly responsible for the creation and development of the curriculum for our rich and varied youth librarianship program," said Rubin. "Her astonishing list of accomplishments and dedication to our school and the welfare of youth, especially through the encouragement of reading, books and the library, is an example to us all."
Kent State University's School of Library and Information Science is the largest single master's program at the university. With over 600 students, the school is ranked nationally by a U.S. News and World Report survey as 19th in the country and the third largest masters program in library and information science. It is the only accredited masters program of its kind in Ohio. Classes are offered at the Kent and Columbus campuses, at various distance learning sites throughout the state, and online.
For more information go to http://www.slis.kent.edu