Iowa Receives Funds to Train Librarians at the University of Iowa

The University of Iowa School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) has received $881,692 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to recruit and educate teacher librarians. SLIS will use these funds to recruit two groups of 20 students who already have teaching certificates for its master's degree program in library and information science. They will receive fellowships to fund their degrees. The first cohort will begin in the summer of 2008.

Dr. James Elmborg, Director of the UI SLIS program, will coordinate the grant. Most of the coursework in the master’s program will be conducted through distance education systems. Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, the State Library of Iowa and the Iowa Association of School Librarians are partners in the grant and will assist with recruitment and course delivery.

According to Mary Jo Langhorne, a primary writer of the grant, many details remain to be worked out concerning admissions, timelines, course schedules and method of delivery. A Web site will be developed to provide relevant information as details become available. The grant requirements will be publicized on the Web site and by other means. 

Langhorne asks that people stay tuned for further details and inform any teachers that may be interested in a library career of this grant.

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations panel that funds library and education initiatives said "I hope that with these funds, the University of Iowa will be able to make its excellent School of Library and Information Science even stronger."

"Libraries play a crucial role in both preserving past discoveries and facilitating future scholarship," said Harkin.  "With decreasing numbers of librarians across the country, it is important to draw new professionals to this field and give them opportunities to excel."

 “I hope that with these funds, the University of Iowa will be able to make its excellent School of Library and Information Science even stronger,” Harkin said.  “Libraries play a crucial role in both preserving past discoveries and facilitating future scholarship. With decreasing numbers of librarians across the country, it is important to draw new professionals to this field and give them opportunities to excel.”