ProQuest Rolls Out New Graduate Education Program
ANN ARBOR -- The information and database provider ProQuest said Wednesday that it would combine the best of its development programs for library schools to create a single, wide-ranging source that connects students and faculty with free resources designed to advance education and careers.
The new Graduate Education Program captures programs from ProQuest and business units such as Dialog, and includes access to products and services, teaching tools, training and development opportunities, along with awards and internships, all packed into a social network that enables users to connect with one another.
"ProQuest's and Dialog's outstanding programs have provided critical support to professional searchers as well as students and faculty in LIS programs for many years," said Maria Ziemer, global manager of the ProQuest graduate education program. "That's a tremendous legacy to expand on, and we're confident that we've added more power and effectiveness by putting it all in one spot. It's now simpler for librarians -- and librarians in training -- to access the breadth of what we offer. And, we were inspired to add more options because we saw gaps we could fill."
The ProQuest GEP is housed within a free social networking site called Discover More Corps. Once LIS faculty register for the GEP, they and their students can freely access the GEP's spectrum of resources, which includes:
* Free access to renowned resources from ProQuest that enable students to learn, explore, and gain experience using industry-leading databases and technology before they encounter them on the job. For Library Schools, the free access saves precious budget dollars while boosting the real-world experience of their programs.
* Free curriculum development resources that help instructors update existing classes with current, fresh information or jump-start planning for new courses. * Customized training and class presentations (live on site or through the Web and via recorded classes) from ProQuest's expert staff — many of whom hold MLIS degrees.
* ProQuest's unique Student Trainer Internship Program, which recruits select graduate LIS students for electronic resources training. This unique program prepares students to train others at their schools, providing career experience through enhanced instruction skills, e-resource product knowledge and mentoring from ProQuest's professional team of trainers.
* Networking through the Discover More Corps site that enables users from around the globe to easily connect to share best practices and advice.
* A variety of awards and scholarships.
Michigan's Wayne State University School of Library and Information Science has been testing the new GEP throughout its development "with great success," according to associate professor Hermina Anghelescu. "I highly appreciate the customized webinars that I have requested for my classes and that the ProQuest trainers have so graciously provided with professionalism and in a timely manner."
The ProQuest GEP is available now by contacting gep@proquest.com. It's part of ProQuest's commitment to advance and evolve professional librarianship around the world. ProQuest is also sponsor of Library Journal's Teaching Award, which is presented annually at the Midwinter Conference of the American Library Association.
