ºÚÁÏÍø's School of Information (iSchool) is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for two $1,500 research fellowships:
The Jacqueline M. Albers Guest Scholar in Children’s Literature Fellowship was endowed by iSchool alumna Jacqueline M. Albers to support a guest scholar who will study children’s literature using the collections in the Reinberger Children’s Library Center.
The Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz Fellowship for Picturebook Research, supported by Dr. Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz, encourages scholarly research on the study of picture books using the resources of the Marantz Picturebook Collection for the Study of Picturebook Art.
Each fellowship provides a stipend of $1,500 for outstanding scholars to spend approximately one week on-site, researching children’s literature, picture books or ephemera related to picture books in the Reinberger Children's Library Center and Marantz Picturebook Collection at the ºÚÁÏÍø School of Information in Kent, Ohio. Funds will be awarded after completion of the on-site research.
Mission of the Reinberger Children's Library Center and the Marantz Picturebook Collection for the Study of Picturebook Art
From historical books for children to contemporary literature for young people, the Reinberger Children's Library Center and the Marantz Picturebook Collection encompass diverse collections of youth literature that span geographic, cultural, physical, technological and temporal borders. The collections represent the best literature and related materials for young people. They also demonstrate the processes involved in producing, publishing and marketing such literature over time, from evolving means of production to differing constructions of childhood. In addition, the state-of-the-art Center provides opportunities to study connections between literacy, reading and digital technologies, which is valuable for practitioners as well as scholars.
The Center’s research purpose is threefold: 1) to support and encourage scholarly research within its collections; 2) to provide professional training to students and practitioners, and 3) to engage in activities and outreach to the community and beyond. The Center's collection is of interest to interdisciplinary scholars and practitioners from such fields as youth services librarianship, school library media, children's literature, education, English, communication, media studies, design and others interested in studying youth literature, publishing, young people and reading in both a historical and contemporary context.
The Reinberger and Marantz collections combine to form a research library collection of more than 40,000 books and related ephemera.
Following is a sampling of the types of studies which could be done using the collections:
- The art of picture book illustration (media and techniques)
- Themes and trends in children’s literature
- The social construction of childhood through children’s literature
- Social justice in children’s picture books
- Studies of American Children’s Award winners
- Historical perspectives on children’s literature (and the work of May Hill Arbuthnot)
- Contemporary perspectives (e-book vs. print picture books)
- Reviewing studies (Including the work of Ken and Sylvia Marantz)
- Publishing studies on books for young readers
- Study of pop-ups/paper engineering
Criteria for Eligibility
Albers: Applicants will be evaluated based on their proven dedication to the study of children’s literature (not specifically picturebooks) and selection of a topic of study related to the Reinberger and Marantz collections.
Marantz: Applicants will be evaluated based on their proven dedication to the study of children’s picture books and selection of a topic of study related to the Reinberger and Marantz collections.
General Criteria
- Preference will be given to topics likely to be published or otherwise disseminated.
- Awards also will be based on applicants’ scholarly qualifications.
- Applicants from diverse academic disciplines are welcome to apply, including but not limited to: youth services librarianship, school library media, children's literature, art, education, English, communication, media studies, design, art education, illustration, publishing, and others interested in studying youth literature, young people and reading.
- Applicants must hold at least a master’s degree.
Application Process
Please provide the following materials using the form at this link:
- A two-page summary addressing the topic of your proposed study and the potential impact of your work. Include an outline of the project and its relationship to previous and current scholarship in the field, how the resources of the ºÚÁÏÍø collections will support your research, as well as the anticipated outcome of the project and plans for publication.
- Curriculum vitae / resume including name, title, contact information, education.
- A proposed budget of anticipated travel and research expenses, and suggested dates of study in Kent.
Stipends must be used within one year from receipt of funds, at which time expenditure reports will be due.
Applications must be submitted on the appropriate form () no later than midnight on Monday, April 8, 2019.
Winners will be announced via email on or before Friday, May 3, 2019.
Read about last year’s winners here: /iSchool/fellowships
Conditions
- Recipients of the Marantz Fellowship for Picturebook Research must be willing to present (in-person or online) their research related to the fellowship findings at a future picture book symposium hosted by ºÚÁÏÍø’s School of Information.
- Recipients of the Albers Fellowship must be willing to present (in-person or online) their research related to the fellowship findings at a future symposium hosted by ºÚÁÏÍø’s School of Information.
- Recipients must be willing to have their name, photo and title of research promoted via publicity and marketing channels at ºÚÁÏÍø.
- Any publications resulting from this support should credit the appropriate fellowship.
- Applicants agree to send a copy of any ensuing publications to the Reinberger Children’s Library Center at ºÚÁÏÍø’s School of Information.
For questions please contact Michelle R. Baldini, mbaldini@kent.edu