Syracuse University receives $499,727 grant to educate future library school professors

Syracuse University receives $499,727 grantto educate future library school professorsAugust 16, 2004Edward Byrnesedbyrnes@syr.edu

Kevin Crowston, an associate professor in Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies, has been awarded a $499,727, three-year grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to recruit and educate the next generation of library school professors.

Crowston’s proposal, titled, “The Future Professoriate for Librarianship Project,” aims to integrate preparation for teaching and targeted library research activities into the Ph.D. experience to help students make an easier transition to becoming professors in library science programs. The project will attract new doctoral students by providing targeted funding to practicing librarians and will expose them to research and educational conferences and to participation on committees, and will promote active learning through research, teaching, and service.

“It’s crucial that individuals with a demonstrated commitment to librarianship be encouraged to pursue their Ph.D.,” says Crowston, adding that his recruitment efforts will be targeted at four underserved areas of specialization: school library media, digital literacy, youth services, and cataloging.

The program is focused on improving the enrollment of library doctoral students through a multi-faceted approach that includes attracting and retaining students through increased student support in the form of tuition assistance, benefits and stipends. Crowston also plans to make available a completion fellowship for a

current doctoral student in each of the first two years of the project-which will allow the students to focus on their thesis during their final year-thus expediting graduation and placement as a library school faculty member.

The School of Information Studies at SU is a nationally ranked center for innovative programs in information policy, information behavior, information management, information systems, information technology and information services. The School offers an undergraduate degree, certificates of advanced studies, three professional master’s programs, and a Ph.D. The School of Information Studies was established in 1896 as the School of Library Science and is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). For more information, visit the School’s web site at www.ist.syr.edu.

Officially chartered in 1870 as a private, coeducational institution of higher education, Syracuse University is a leading student-centered research university. Syracuse’s 12 schools and colleges share a common mission: to promote learning through teaching, research, scholarship, creative accomplishment and service while embracing the core values of quality, caring, diversity, innovation and service. The 938-acre campus is home to more than 18,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 90 countries.