Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program

An IMLS grant awarded in 2006 to the New Jersey State Library in collaboration with Rutgers University School of Communication and Information, Thomas Edison State College, Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, and New Jersey Library Association

Grant Manager:  Michele Stricker, Deputy Director, Library Development Bureau, 609-278-2640 ext. 164, or mstricker@njstatelib.org

Thomas Edison State College advisor Todd Siben celebrates with (from left) Violet Valentin, Aurelia Rodriguez, Sandra Jones, Sandra Jones, and Elias Vazquez during commencement activities.

The New Jersey State Library has been collaborating with Rutgers University School of Communication and Information, Thomas Edison State College, (the former) Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, and the New Jersey Library Association to educate urban public librarians. Building on a previous IMLS grant, the project aims to increase minority and bilingual staff in New Jersey's urban public libraries. Now in its fourth year, the project has provided scholarships for multicultural New Jersey urban library employees to achieve their next level of library education.

As of January 2010, three students have received their AA degrees, seven their BA degrees, and 14 their MLIS degrees. By the end of the grant on November 30, 2011,  three more students are expected to receive their BA degrees, and our PhD scholars will complete their doctorates. As members of Hispanic, African-American, Asian, immigrant and physically challenged populations, our graduates are in a unique position to help their libraries serve and connect with their diverse communities.

This grant to the New Jersey State Library is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent federal agency that grows and sustains a "nation of learners," because lifelong learning is critical to success. It is administered by the New Jersey State Library in collaboration with Rutgers University School of Communication and Information, Thomas Edison State College, (the former) Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, and New Jersey Library Association