Grants help offset current shortage of school library media specialists, librarians working in underserved communities, and more..
Washington, DC - First Lady Laura Bush announced $20,869,145 in grants from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. Thirty-five awards will go to universities, libraries, and library organizations across the country today to recruit and educate librarians. The grants are designed to help offset a current shortage of school library media specialists, library school faculty, and librarians working in underserved communities, as well a looming shortage of library directors and other senior librarians, many of whom are expected to retire in the next 20 years. Click here for a list of grant recipients organized by state: http://www.imls.gov/news/2006/062806_list.shtm
The First Lady made the announcement on June 26th during a national town hall meeting in New Orleans of local and national government officials, educators, and business leaders, and an audience of thousands of librarians across the United States. The meeting, School Libraries Work:
Rebuilding for Learning, focused on the essential role school libraries and librarians play in restoring learning and reuniting community in times of crises. The American Library Association hosted the meeting as part of its annual convention (June 24-28) at which 17,000 library professionals participated and marks the first major convention in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina struck.
"Restoring libraries on the Gulf Coast will be a long-term endeavor, requiring well-trained librarians for years to come," said Mrs. Bush.
"And the work of recruiting and educating the next generation of librarians here on the Gulf Coast and throughout our country must start now."
The grants benefit 26 doctoral, 361 master's, 3,201 continuing education, and 289 pre-professional students across the country. Since First Lady Laura Bush first announced the President would support a multi-million initiative to recruit new librarians in 2002, the Institute has funded 1,898 master's degree students, 145 doctoral students, 949 pre-professional students, and 3,579 continuing education students. The multi-faceted grant program supports tuition assistance, curriculum development, service expectations, job placement, recruitment of non-traditional library students, support for doctoral candidates to teach library science, and research.
"Libraries in all their forms, whether public, school, specialized, or academic, play a vital role in building a nation of learners," said Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of the Institute. "Without well-trained and educated librarians and preprofessionals, however, library service suffers. That is why we are so pleased to announce these recipients of the 2006 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program."
"With these grants, IMLS is ensuring that librarians will have the training they need to keep libraries and education at the center of community life," continued Mrs. Bush. Click here to read the First Lady's full remarks .
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services 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. Its mission is to grow and sustain a "Nation of Learners" because life-long learning is essential to a democratic society and individual success. Through its grant making, convenings, research and publications, the Institute empowers museums and libraries nationwide to provide leadership and services to enhance learning in families and communities, sustain cultural heritage, build twenty-first-century skills, and increase civic participation. To learn more about the Institute, please visit: http://www.imls.gov.
