American Library Association

Building on the success of the Spectrum Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships for ethnically and racially underrepresented students attending graduate library and information science programs, the American Library Association will initiate "REACH 21: Preparing the Next Generation of Librarians for 21st Century Library Leadership." The project will foster the recruitment, matriculation, and early career development of 150 minority students in master's-level library and information science programs; provide mentoring and coaching of sixty additional students from underrepresented backgrounds; establish a formal, year-long mentoring program that will leverage community and support networks and aid educational and early career retention; and create an outreach services component.