Brooklyn public library-in partnership with queens college, university at albany, university at buffalo, bookops, and the metropolitan library council-will: 1) offer a scholarship program for…

The Brooklyn Public Library received a $793,201 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (CFDA 45.313). The grant will fund a scholarship program for non-librarian staff from underrepresented groups to pursue Master's degrees in Library and Information Science. Additionally, it will develop a framework and resources that other library systems can use to cultivate diverse library leaders. Over the 3-year project period, the grant will provide MLIS scholarships, mentorship, job shadowing, and leadership development training to benefit library professionals without MLIS degrees who are from underrepresented groups. The goal is to create a sustainable model for diversifying library staff that can be adapted by other library systems.

Brooklyn public library-in partnership with queens college, university at albany, university at buffalo, bookops, and the metropolitan library council-will: 1) offer a scholarship program for non-librarian staff from groups underrepresented in the library and archives field to pursue a master's in library and information science (mlis) degree; and 2) create a framework and resources that other library systems can use to develop their own diverse library leaders. Over the project period, BPL will provide staff members with mlis scholarships and create a robust set of professional development tools. This includes developing partnerships with mlis programs to support applicants and scholars; offering student support services such as mentorship, job shadowing. And core competency trainings; and creating resources that support leadership development and address diversity, equity, and inclusion broadly. The program will benefit library professionals who do not have mlis degrees and are from groups underrepresented in librarianship, as well as library systems that want models for diversifying their library staff. Results will build a sustainable model that can be adapted by other libraries with a range of resources and funding.