June 30, 2008
$990,892 in Federal Aid Received from
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
Thanks to a grant of $990,892 from the Federal Institute of
Museum and Library Services (IMLS), St. John’s University and its
partners, the Metropolitan New York Library Council and the Law
Library Association of Greater New York, will recruit and educate
40 master of library science (MLS) students interested in careers
in special libraries such as those found in the corporate, legal,
and media worlds. The generous grant was one of 31 awards given to
institutions nationwide as part of a $20.3 million initiative of
the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.
“We were thrilled to receive the news regarding our receipt of
this prestigious grant. Along with this excitement also comes
challenges and the task ahead is a bit intimidating,” said Dr.
Jeffery Olson, Director of Library and Information Science. “The
grant will enable us to educate students in the field of library
and information science, better prepare them for career advancement
and, through our faculty and mentors, give them the leadership
skills to better serve those in need across the world in keeping
with our Vincentian Mission.”
The 31 grantees will provide
educational opportunities to library students and staff to
strengthen Gulf Coast libraries; support school library media
programs; increase the number of librarians, archivists, and
library and information science professors; increase diversity in
the library workforce; and strengthen that workforce to better meet
the needs of users of all types of libraries. IMLS 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.
"Since the program began in 2003, the Laura Bush 21st Century
Librarian Program has awarded more than $100 million to recruit and
train the next generation of librarians. Whether working in public
schools, colleges, or local public libraries, librarians are
essential contributors toward student and community success," said
Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Ph.D., IMLS Director.
St. John’s University will use the grant for Master’s Level
programs offered at its Manhattan Campus, with a preference for
people who will provide service to organizations that support
underserved populations. The concentration of the programming will
center on special librarians who provide expert, in-depth
information support in dynamic, deadline-dominated, competitive
environments. Applicants will be screened and the first 20
scholarship recipients will begin core curriculum in January of
2009. The remaining 20 awardees will start classes in July of
2009.
In addition, the program will supplement the core curriculum
with courses in knowledge management, competitive intelligence,
marketing research, and other related topics, while integrating
coursework into a wide array of opportunities for professional
networking, mentoring, and service learning. This program will
provide well-qualified new professionals a chance to work in New
York, which has a high concentration of influential special
libraries.
IMLS 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.
“The grant could not have been possible without the tireless
efforts and commitment from several University departments
(Information Technology, Student Financial Services, Office of
Grants and Sponsored Research, and University Library Services) and
the support of our Manhattan Campus,” added Olson. “In addition,
Katherine Shelfer (coordinator and primary writer for the grant
proposal) was a major contributor to the completion and success of
the project.” This is the second consecutive year that St. John’s
has received an IMLS grant. Last year, the Division of Library and
Information Science was awarded nearly a million dollars to prepare
40 students to work with children and their families in school and
public libraries serving traditionally underserved communities.
For more information specific to the St. John’s University grant
program contact Joanne Heiser at 718-990-6200 or e-mail inquiries
to heiserj@stjohns.edu.