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Digital Library Federation and HBCU Library Alliance Name 2017 DLF HBCU Fellows

IMLS grant supports collaboration between organizations, travel fellowships, and
HBCU/DLF Liberal Arts Preconference

Washington, DC, September 20, 2017—Twenty-four individuals, primarily from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) or with HBCU backgrounds, will attend the 2017 Digital Library Federation (DLF) Forum and DLF Liberal Arts/HBCUs Preconference in October, thanks to a grant of fellowship funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.

The fellowships, totaling $37,836 in DLF and IMLS funding, are part of a larger IMLS grant of $49,950 to promote collaboration between the Digital Library Federation and HBCU Library Alliance communities, subsidize a joint conference, and expand HBCU participation at two DLF signature events. The DLF Forum preconference, held October 22 in Pittsburgh, will focus on digital libraries and library-based teaching as a common mission and common ground between liberal arts colleges or programs and HBCUs. The keynote speaker, Loretta Parham, directs Atlanta University Center’s Woodruff Library, which serves a consortium of Atlanta-area HBCUs.

The annual DLF Forum follows the preconference from October 23-25, and will be keynoted by Afrofuturist writer, lawyer, and community organizer Rasheedah Phillips. Approximately 120 participants are expected to attend the preconference, which is structured to maximize informal conversation, relationship-building, and exchange. The DLF Forum will feature peer-reviewed panels and presentations on digital library technologies and practices, and typically attracts more than 600 attendees. DLF will additionally host meetings and conferences of the National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA), Taiga Forum, Collections as Data team, and others, October 25-26.

“The HBCU Library Alliance is pleased to partner with the Digital Library Federation and is appreciative of IMLS funding for the conference,” says HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Sandra Phoenix. She continues, “The fellowship winners will add unique perspectives and a wealth of shared experiences to these very important discussions. As voices of advocacy for HBCU institutions with strong traditions of mentoring, these fellows can offer ‘first-hand’ experiences of the value of digital libraries, their collections and imprint on scholarship, American history and culture.”

DLF Director Bethany Nowviskie agrees, “Collaborating with the HBCU Library Alliance has been an honor and a delight, and we’re grateful to IMLS for helping us welcome these two dozen outstanding fellowship winners to Pittsburgh. Their perspectives will greatly enrich conversations there.” She adds, “It’s the perfect time for a program like this. It has never been more important for digital libraries to challenge white supremacy by reflecting Black experiences, imagining more liberated futures, and asserting the value of Black lives.”

Recipients of the 2017 DLF HBCU Fellowships are as follows:

Elizabeth Jean Brumfield, Distance Services Librarian, Prairie View A&M University

Jessica C. Neal, University Archivist, Trinity University

LeTisha Stacey, Digital Librarian/Archivist, Philander Smith College

Mary Jo Fayoyin, Dean of Library Services, Savannah State University

Nicola Andrews, NCSU Libraries Fellow, North Carolina State University

Andrea Jackson, Executive Director, Black Metropolis Research Consortium

Chianta Dorsey, Reference Archivist, Amistad Research Center

Chris Iweha, Associate Director for Public Service, Morgan State University

Danisha Baker-Whitaker, Archivist/Museum Curator, Bennett College

Kaneisha Gaston, Instructor, Livingstone College; MLIS student, North Carolina Central University

Ana Ndumu, Doctoral Student, Florida State University

Dorothy Berry, Project Manager and Metadata Coordinator, University of Minnesota

Holly A. Smith, College Archivist, Spelman College

Jean Greene, Director of Library Services & Archives, Hinds Community College-Utica

kYmberly Keeton, Independent Publisher, Art Librarian, bookista media group

Laura Adair Johnson, Director of Library Services, Livingstone College

Pearl Adzei-Stonnes, Acquisitions Librarian, Virginia Union University

Tatiana Bryant , Outreach and Promotion Librarian, Adelphi University

Arneice Bowen, Head of Cataloging, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Horacio Sierra, Assistant Professor, English Department, Bowie State University

Monika Rhue, Chair, HBCU Library Alliance and Director of Library Services, Johnson C. Smith University

Shatiqua A. Mosby-Wilson, Library Director, Southern University of New Orleans

Vanissa Ely Gosserand, Reference/User Services Librarian, Southern University

Zakiya Collier, Master’s Candidate – New York University/ Long Island University

These fellowship winners join 18 other 2017 DLF Forum Fellows, sponsored by the Digital Library Federation in collaboration with the Kress Foundation, Association of Research Libraries (ARL), Library Juice Academy and Press, and ER&L. A final report will discuss outcomes of the Liberal Arts Colleges/HBCUs preconference and help set the direction for future partnerships between the DLF and HBCU Library Alliance.

The Digital Library Federation, founded in 1995, represents 158 networked member institutions and increasingly diverse, varied, and inclusive communities of practice within and beyond them. DLF members and program participants advance research, learning, social justice and the public good through the creative design and wise application of digital library technologies. DLF supports a number of internal working groups, programs, projects, and affiliated organizations, and connects its parent organization, CLIR, to an active practitioner network in colleges, universities, public libraries, museums, labs, agencies, and mission-aligned consortia and nonprofits.

The HBCU Library Alliance, established in 2002, is uniquely positioned as the only library membership organization dedicated exclusively to advancing the missions of HBCU libraries and the contributions of HBCU librarians. Members of the HBCU Library Alliance are those HBCU institutions so designated by the White House Initiative on HBCUs. The HBCU Library Alliance is the definitive voice of advocacy for member institutions, with a mission to develop library leaders, preserve collections and champion the value of HBCU institutions to the broader community.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s approximately 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Its mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Its grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

DLF HBCU Fellowships were made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant number RE-87-17-0079-17.

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