“Growing Up in Toledo” Exhibit

The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library recently unveiled a new digital exhibit – “Growing Up in Toledo.” Created in collaboration with the Lourdes University Digital and Media Studies Program, the exhibit was produced from data generously provided by the TLCPL Local History and Geneaology Department and researched by students in the University’s Spring 2020 ENG 353: Introduction to Digital and Media Studies class taught by former Lourdes professor Dr. Susan Shelangoskie.

View the “Growing Up in Toledo” digital exhibit

The joint project involved six Lourdes student researchers and exhibit contributors from the Lourdes Digital & Media Studies (DMS) class working closely with TLCPL’s Local History and Genealogy department staff members Ed Hill, Special Collections Librarian; Kristel Schetter, Clerk III; and John Dewees, Supervisor of Digitization Services.

Jason Almony, Maegen Anders, Noel Barrera, Chelsea Klotz, Lawrence McClorrine and Alec Thacker created the digital exhibit from items in the Library’s architecture collection. Each student adopted and researched two properties/sets of drawings.

Jason Almony

• Theatre in Early 20th Century Toledo: Orchard Theatre
• Willow Beach Amusement Park

Maegen Anders

• A Rich Past: the Libbey House
• A Rich Past: the Stranahan House

Noel Barrera

• Rural and Urban Depression Era in the Greater Toledo Area Schools: Metamora School
• Rural and Urban Depression Era in the Greater Toledo Area Schools: Whitmer High School

Chelsea Klotz

• F.E. Cottrell Apartment Building
• Shaping a Better Future Through Education: Davis Business College

Lawrence McClorine

• Cricket West Shopping Plaza
• Heatherdowns Country Club

Alec Thacker

• Theatre in Early 20th Century Toledo: Palace Theatre
• Theatre in Early 20th Century Toledo: Westwood Theatre

 

“This project allowed students to apply what they learned in the class,” says Dr. Shelangoskie, Director of the new Digital and Media Studies program. “In this class, we re-conceptualized what data is when talking about text and images, so this collection of digital drawings was a great opportunity for students to apply those principles to create a new digital exhibit that has now become a part of the Library’s collection.”

Completing real-world digital and media studies projects for companies and organizations is a required element of Lourdes University’s Digital & Media Studies bachelor’s degree program. This program offers flexible curriculum that is customized to students’ interests. During the program, students study their chosen specialization, which is complemented by methods courses in technology and culture, complete self-paced online coding modules, complete an internship, and prepare a professional portfolio that represents their work.

This collaboration was a result of the work of Dr. Shelangoskie and Mr. Dewees who began conceptualizing and designing the project during the summer of 2019.

Through collaborations with organizations and companies like the Library, Lourdes students also fulfill required service learning hours. Through service learning projects, students are involved in experiential learning with instructor-facilitated reflection. This type of hands-on and real-world experience benefits the broader civic community and enhances student learning while preparing graduates with the skills needed for 21st century jobs or graduate programs.

Learn more about the Lourdes Digital & Media Studies program