University of Alaska Southeast Librarians Awarded $150,000 Planning Grant

Four faculty librarians from University of Alaska Southeast are partnering with the Alaska Library Association on a $150,000 two-year planning grant for Expanding Education Options for Alaska’s Library Workforce.

Juneau, Alaska

Date of Press Release: October 7, 2024

Four faculty librarians from University of Alaska Southeast are partnering with the Alaska Library Association on a $150,000 two-year planning grant for Expanding Education Options for Alaska’s Library Workforce. Awarded by the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the funding allows project team members to assess the training needs of library paraprofessionals in underserved communities throughout Alaska and explore the feasibility, curricular content, and delivery modes needed to develop an online professional development microcredential.

According to the 2022 Public Library Survey conducted by the Alaska State Library (ASL), there are 94 public libraries throughout the state (20 combined school/community libraries) and a total of 304 employees. Of those reporting employee numbers, 41 libraries (almost half) have 2 or fewer total employees, and some are entirely volunteer run.

Jennifer Ward (Primary Investigator), Professor of Library Science and Outreach Librarian, Jonas Lamb (Co-PI), Associate Professor of Library Science and Public Services Librarian, David Cox (Co-PI), Associate Professor of Library Science and Technical Services Librarian, and Kaia Henrickson Associate Professor of Library Science and Information Literacy Librarian will lead the project.

Over the next two years, the project team will perform an environmental scan of the jobs in the state, analyze course sequences of existing undergraduate pre-professional programs, and conduct surveys and focus groups of library workers in Alaska. The project will assess the need for a sustainable training curriculum that considers the challenges of small and rural libraries in Alaska while taking into account best practices, professional standards, and cultural humility. Based on findings, the project team will pilot a course and develop a curriculum for a microcredential for library workers. Key findings will be presented at state and national conferences.

The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services supports the training and professional development of library and archives professionals; developing faculty and information leaders; and recruiting, educating, and retaining the next generation of library and archives professionals in order to develop a diverse library and archival workforce and meet the information needs of their communities.