Contact: Dan Nonte, University Relations
(336) 334-4314
Posted 6-26-08
GREENSBORO, NC - The University Libraries and the Department of Library and Information Studies at UNCG have received an $862,014 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
The funds will be used to recruit 12 minority students into the library and information studies (LIS) program at UNCG, and will cover tuition, stipends, health insurance and textbooks.
The program will provide the students with internship opportunities at 10 participating academic libraries in North Carolina, pair them with experienced librarians for mentoring and offer them cultural enrichment activities during their two-year LIS program. The students also will have the opportunity to attend library conferences and other professional meetings.
“We all recognize that the services we receive are first and foremost driven by people,” said Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice, director of IMLS. “Well-equipped and educated librarians and pre-professionals are at the heart of effective library services. The grants awarded through the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program sharpen the skills of today’s library staff and train the next generation of library professionals and faculty.”
According to Radice, the agency received 90 applications requesting more than $49,090,000 during this grant cycle. The UNCG project was chosen, along with 30 projects from other institutions, “identified by reviewers as examples of those that would significantly increase the number of students enrolled in master’s and doctoral level LIS programs.” The multifaceted grant program supports tuition assistance, curriculum development, service expectations, job placement, recruitment of non-traditional library students and support for doctoral candidates to teach library science and research.
Since 2002, when First Lady Laura Bush announced the President’s support of a multi-million dollar initiative to recruit new librarians, the institute has funded 2,913 master’s degree students, 178 doctoral students, 1,166 pre-professional students and 5,629 continuing education students. The program is designed to address the shortage of school library media specialists, library school faculty, and librarians working in underserved communities, and to prepare for an anticipated shortage of library leaders, many of whom are expected to retire in the next 20 years.
“I am thrilled to learn this wonderful news,” said Dr. Sha Li Zhang, assistant dean for collections and technical services at the UNCG Libraries, and the project director/principal investigator of this grant. Zhang said the grant will offer substantial support to increase diversity among LIS students, which will ultimately lead to increased diversity in the library profession.
She credited Rosann Bazirjian, dean of University Libraries, with providing vital support. “Her vision and commitment to diversity are an important strength of this grant application,” Zhang said. Under Bazirjian’s leadership, the libraries created a permanent diversity committee two years ago.
“With this grant, we will be able to recruit, cultivate and graduate minority librarians into the academic library workforce,” said Bazirjian. She said libraries need a diverse workforce to serve an increasingly diverse group of users.
The co-principal investigators of this grant are Rosann Bazirjian, dean of University Libraries; Dr. Lee Shiflett, professor and chair of the LIS department; Gerald Holmes, reference librarian/diversity coordinator; and Dr. Julie Hersberger, LIS professor. The deans and directors of the participating libraries have enthusiastically supported this grant application. They are:
• David Bryden, director of library services, High Point University;
• Waltrene Canada, dean of the university library, North Carolina A&T State University;
• Mary Ellen Chijioke, library director, Guilford College;
• Kate Hickey, dean and university librarian, Elon University;
• Dr. Gwen Peart, library director, Livingston College;
• Monika Rhue, acting director of library services, John C. Smith University;
• Dr. Mae Rodney, director of library services, Winston Salem State University;
• Dr. Lynn Sutton, director of Z. Smith Reynolds Library, Wake Forest University; and
• Dr. Joan Williams, library director, Bennett College for Women.
“This project is a genuine collaboration between an LIS program and the 10 academic libraries,” said Shiflett. He believes that the program presents a unique opportunity to aggressively recruit ethnic minority students through the participating institutions. These institutions will expose students to a variety of library functions and activities through internships.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the institute, please visit www.imls.gov.
