Grants for Library and Information Science
Find Your Funding
Most of us have a time worn image of a librarian stuck in our heads, but today's library technician is nothing short of information expert. Whole fields of undergraduate and graduate level studies are devoted to the field of Library and Information Science.
As is the case with many areas of education, the field remains gutted of well-educated professionals within the areas of public librarianship. To these ends, many students will find a wealth of scholarship and grant money for library and information science students that hail from organizations with a focus on training tomorrow's public librarians.
Federal Grants
Undergraduate and graduate students seeking a career track in library science will find rich vein of funding for both private and public interests. Federal funds nurture public librarianships with the intention of bolstering interest in the field into the 21st century. The Institute of Museum and Library Services department of the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities offers grants that support deeper layers of the industry. Many of their grants do not fund individuals directly, but instead offer awards to various public institution projects involved in archiving, cataloging and preserving that in turn will fund grants and internships for library science students.
Pell Grants are always available for undergraduate students who can prove a deep financial need. And Federal Stafford Loans will be the first line of student funding on any level.
Colleges and University Grants in Library Science
Interested in knowing which colleges and universities offer comprehensive degree programs in Library and Information Science? The American Library Association maintains a list of ALA-accredited schools that offer notable programs.
- Florida State University (FSU) offers grants for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students particularly for those who will pursue positions within public sector that have been historically underserved as far as education and libraries go.
- University of Alabama's School of Library and Information Sciences features grants and scholarships for individuals already working within Alabama's public library system. Students must be pursuing a degree in Library Science on at least a half-time basis. Over two-dozen grants are available for many students including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral and minority students.
Professional Organization Grants for Library Science
Associations and organizations dedicated to the science of public and private librarianship have many different points of focus. The field offers a diversity of specialties and curricula including archiving, cataloging, media specialties and more.
- The Smithsonian advertises a dozen or so grants, scholarships and internships related to the library sciences, especially associated with projects that emphasis important works in archiving inventories and collections, as well as database building and management of an amalgam of library information sources. Two well-respected organizations under this umbrella of funding include the National Air and Space Museum and the Freer Gallery of Art.
- The American Association of University Women is one of the leading organizations promoting studies by women of all backgrounds. They sponsor regular scholarships and grants in many different areas of expertise including Information Science.
- The Association of Jewish Libraries is an example of a more specialized grant. Library Science majors may be eligible for grants in Judaic librarianship. Candidates will be able to prove a core focus on Jewish studies and must be willing to pursue a career within Judaic information.
