subject: librarian leadership
liberal arts colleges
CIC
ACA
UNCF
IMLS
CLIR Press Releases
For Immediate Release: June 30, 2009
Contact:
Kathlin Smith
202-939-4754
IMLS Awards CLIR $713,000 for Project to Develop Leadership Capacity
Washington, DCThe Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded CLIR $713,000 for a project to develop the leadership capacity of librarians at many of the nation’s less affluent liberal arts colleges.
CLIR will partner with the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) to strengthen the information management capabilities of librarians in liberal arts colleges. Special attention will be paid to colleges that serve low-income, minority, and first-generation students, such as those in the Appalachian College Association and the United Negro College Fund, as well as other colleges and universities that serve predominantly minority or low-income students. Also emphasized in the project are liberal arts colleges that are not well connected to the mainstream of American librarianship, including those that are members of the American International Consortium of Academic Libraries.
The three-year project will have three main elements: (1) providing librarians with professional development opportunities through attendance at workshops and leadership institutes; (2) funding the development of new workshops addressing the special needs of small liberal arts colleges; and (3) providing work experience for librarians from less affluent institutions by partnering with better-financed liberal arts colleges.
The award was granted under IMLS’ Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.
“This grant has great significance for CLIR,” said CLIR President Chuck Henry. “It engages us with institutions that will deepen and broaden our understanding of leadership, and also represents a programmatic collaboration with CIC, which we have long sought. We are pleased to partner with CIC in this fundamentally important effort.”
“CIC is delighted that the Institute for Museum and Library Services has decided to support the professional development of librarians who work in smaller colleges and universities,” said CIC President Richard Ekman. “To enhance librarians’ ability to serve their campus communities more effectively, this generous grant will provide opportunities for librarians to learn from colleagues with relevant experience and to become better equipped to meet the challenges of managing information for students and faculty members in the 21st century.”
CLIR is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to expand access to information, however recorded and preserved, as a public good. Through publications, projects, and programs, CLIR works to maintain and improve access to information for generations to come. In partnership with other institutions, CLIR helps create services that expand the concept of “library” and supports the providers and preservers of information. Information about CLIR and its work is available at www.clir.org.
CIC is an association of more than 600 independent liberal arts colleges and universities, and higher education affiliates and organizations that work together to strengthen college and university leadership, sustain high-quality education, and enhance private higher education’s contributions to society. To fulfill this mission, CIC provides its members with skills, tools, and knowledge that address aspects of leadership, financial management and performance, academic quality, and institutional visibility. For more information, visit www.cic.edu.
