Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation

Building on a previous IMLS-funded project, the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation will increase minority representation among professional librarians and the number of youth librarians throughout library system. Grant funds will be used to recruit and support twenty-five internal candidates with bachelor’s degrees from three different applicant pools: full-time paraprofessional staff, library interns and part-time or seasonal outreach staff. Students will earn master’s degrees in library and information science at the University of Pittsburgh. The program focuses on public librarianship, particularly youth services, in an urban setting. Upon graduation, these new librarians will better reflect the neighborhoods served and will be better equipped to meet the diverse needs of children, teens, adults, and seniors in the Philadelphia region.