Georgia highlands college (GHC), a state college serving rural northwest georgia and the appalachian region, will develop a 12-month initiative designed to introduce undergraduate students to…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded Georgia Highlands College Foundation, Inc. (doing business as Georgia Highlands College) $199,088 on September 1, 2026, under the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (CFDA 45.313) to develop a 12-month initiative introducing undergraduate students to careers in library and information science.

Cohorts of undergraduate fellows will participate in a structured training program focused on archival practices, digital collections, research methods, public programming, and community engagement. Fellows will work directly with primary sources from the GHC Archives and regional collections to document local history in Appalachia and Northwest Georgia, extending the National Semiquincentennial commemoration. Library and archives professionals will mentor students, providing practical experience while developing transferable skills in project management, communication, and public engagement.

The project runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, with place of performance in Rome, Georgia. Georgia Highlands College is a state college serving rural Northwest Georgia and the Appalachian region.

Georgia highlands college (GHC), a state college serving rural northwest georgia and the appalachian region, will develop a 12-month initiative designed to introduce undergraduate students to careers in library and information science (LIS). Through this community-centered implementation project, cohorts of undergraduate fellows will participate in a structured training program focused on archival practices, digital collections, research methods, public programming, and community engagement. Fellows will work directly with primary sources from the GHC archives and regional collections to highlight local history in appalachia and northwest georgia and extend the national semiquincentennial commemoration. Through mentorship from library and archives professionals, students will gain practical experience while building transferable skills in project management, communication, and public engagement.