iSchool secures grant to fund five future library professors

iSchool secures grant to fund five future library professorsOctober 23, 2007Margaret Costello Spillettmcostell@syr.edu

The School of Information Studies at Syracuse University (iSchool) has received an $885,600 grant from the Laura Bush 21st Century Library Program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, to support a future generation of library science faculty. The monies will cover four years of tuition for five Ph.D. students who are interested in pursuing academic careers in library and information science. The five recipients will also receive a living stipend.

In addition, Associate Dean for Research and Doctoral Studies Jeff Stanton says the grant will enable the iSchool to focus on two other related goals–the creation of a model for library Ph.D. education that can be shared with other universities and the generation of publicity for library doctoral studies in general.

“As graduates of this program accept faculty positions in library schools,” Stanton says, “they will contribute directly to the education and enculturation of a future generation of librarians and library faculty, and they will ultimately increase the number of qualified professionals for employment as librarians throughout the country.”

The project will use a number of strategies to attract new doctoral candidates and help them make the transition to library faculty. These strategies will include the recruitment of strong and dedicated librarians and library students; support for students in the form of financial aid, library-focused training and research assistance; and the creation of a national doctoral student conference on library research and teaching.

The grant program was created to address a growing trend of decreasing numbers of graduates entering the ranks of library faculty, coupled with increasing numbers of retirements. At the iSchool at Syracuse and many other accredited library science schools, many students come to the doctoral program without library backgrounds, and others move away from libraries to pursue other topics in the ever-expanding field of information science. These trends, similar to those in library doctoral programs nationwide, foreshadow an urgent shortage of library faculty.

The 21st Century Library Program supports efforts to recruit and educate the next generation of librarians and the faculty who will prepare them for careers in library science. It also supports grants for research related to library education and library staffing needs, curriculum development, and continuing education and training.

The School of Information Studies at SU is ranked No. 1 in the nation for information systems and 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 degree 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 website at http://ischool.syr.edu

For more information about applying for these Ph.D. awards, contact Stanton at (315) 443-2879 or jmstanto@syr.edu