Jefferson city, Missouri -- Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced nine scholarships awarded by her office to qualified Missourians pursuing library degrees. The program was developed to encourage professional librarianship in Missouri's school, public and academic libraries and is now in its fourth academic year. Financial support for future librarians increases the professional library workforce by encouraging individuals who might otherwise not have the resources for higher education to become librarians.
"Our public libraries are an important part of educating our citizens and keeping our communities vibrant and strong," said Carnahan. "I am pleased that we can provide these scholarships because investing in our future librarians is an investment in the future of our communities."
The State Library has invested over $350,000 in the education of future librarians since the program began in 2003. Scholarships cover tuition and applicable fees at colleges and universities in Missouri, and recipients must commit to work in a publicly funded Missouri library upon graduation. The Missouri State Library Scholarship program is supported by funds from a federal Library Services and Technology Act grant.
In June, the Missouri State Library awarded nine new scholarships to Missourians working on their graduate degrees in library science. Since the program's inception, 68 students have received support through the State Library Scholarship Program. Recipients are selected based on the strength of their applications, transcripts, references and interviews.
Scholarships were awarded to the following students to attend the University of Missouri - Columbia:
* Steven Davies-Sigmund, Kirkwood* Stacey McMackin, Richmond Heights* Molly Pfeiffer, St. Louis* Melissa Poth, Rock Hill* Lauren Williams, Columbia* Erika Woehlk, Kirksville
Scholarships were awarded to the following students to attend the University of Central Missouri:
Marcia Ball, Knob NosterJanet Creeden, Kansas CitySheena Self, Lebanon
Secretary Carnahan also announced the Missouri State Library, a division of her office, is now accepting new scholarship applications for the Winter and Summer 2008 semesters. Missouri State Library scholarships cover tuition and applicable fees at colleges and universities in Missouri for students pursuing a master's degree in library science or school library media specialist certification. Scholarship recipients must commit to work in a publicly funded Missouri library upon graduation. Recipients are selected based on the strength of their applications, transcripts, references and interviews. The deadline to apply is October 1. This is the only application period for the Winter and Summer 2008 semesters.
Applicant criteria and application forms are available at http://www.sos.mo.gov/library/scholarship. |
