Glorian Roberts was ready for a change. Working in human resources and fed up with the corporate world, Roberts wanted a career that better aligned with her ethics and creativity.
"One day, I was going for a walk and passed by the local elementary school," she recalled. "It was recess, and all the kids were outside having so much fun. I couldn't help but think, 'Dang, I wish I could work with kids, that looks like fun.' That's when it hit me—I love books, I love kids, and the University of Illinois has, like, the best MSLIS program. I could become a children's librarian!"
Roberts is now working toward that goal at the iSchool, with financial support through the Anna Mae Koval Scholarship Fund, which was established by Ed Koval to honor his first wife's passion for youth literature. She is grateful for the scholarship support and deeply appreciates donors who help make higher education possible for students.
"This scholarship has been a huge relief to receive. Financing for a master's degree has been so incredibly stressful. Without financial support like this, I couldn't imagine being able to afford going back to school," she said.
Roberts is familiar with the Urbana campus, having earned her bachelor's degree in English from the U. of I. in 2020. In researching the iSchool's MSLIS program, Roberts appreciated how flexible and well-rounded the degree was, as well as its number-one ranking from U.S. News & World Report.
"I continue to feel assured by my choice in returning to school as I move through the program," she said. "I am taking a variety of youth services courses and am learning so much—and having so much fun!"
As a graduate assistant in the Center for Children's Books, Roberts is part of the team responsible for The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, one of the nation's leading children's book review journals for school and public librarians.
"I love getting to work with brand new children's materials and help to read and edit the reviews on a weekly basis. The Bulletin's team has been incredibly kind and supportive, and a great resource for me to build professional skills that I can use in the future," she said.
Outside of class, Roberts enjoys going to the movies, traveling, seeking out and consuming sweet treats, and "most favorably, having intellectually stimulating conversations with my two kitties, Birdie and Rus." She looks forward to working as a youth services librarian for children or teens and is open to working out of state to experience life in a new region of the country.