Grad looking to bring high tech attitude to libraries

Office of Communications & Marketing |Northeastern State University
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. -- People who think librarians lives revolve around hard-bound books havent met Lisa Rowland, named the 2013 Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year at Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow at commencement ceremonies on May 13.

Lisa has helped out in all areas of the library media program; volunteering and representing NSU at the American Library Association conference, book fair, Fall Festival and National Day of Service, said Dr. Barbara Ray, associate professor of curriculum and instruction. She will be a wonderful school librarian who will engage students and be a valuable resource for teachers.

Rowland received her bachelors degree from NSU in social studies education in 2011 from Tahlequah and recently acquired a masters degree in library science at NSUBA.

She has worked as a graduate assistant for the library media program for the last year and a half. She was also president of the Library Media and Information Technology Student Association.

Lisas greatest contribution is her work on the IMLS grant, said Ray. She takes her work very seriously and wishes to incorporate all that she has learned into a school library that supports all stakeholders.

NSUs Project IM READY is sponsored by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.

Project Im Ready works with students who come from rural districts and is focused primarily on Native American studies, teaching to Native Americans and working with rural school librarians to educate them on cultural sensitivity, said Rowland.

The state of Oklahoma requires a certified school library media specialist in every school district and a part-time certified library specialist in schools with student enrollment lower than 300. Studies have shown reading scores statistically increased when schools retained or gained a school librarian.

Rowland said the trend for libraries is to offer more interactive elements geared to providing an open atmosphere and making students feel more comfortable.

The number one misconception people have about librarians is they are quiet, meek individuals who sit around all day and check out books, said Rowland. I am going to be a librarian who works with teachers and assist them with integrating technology to their students. I want to give students a place where they feel welcome while providing resources for them to grow.