University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Information Studies’ Fostering East Asian Librarianship (FEAL) project addresses the dire scarcity of information professionals within librarianship representing East Asian backgrounds and having Asian language skills. The project will support 12 paraprofessionals pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree specializing in East Asian Studies. Students will specialize in the area of Chinese, Japanese, or Korean studies; work with mentors; receive career guidance and job placement assistance; and get tuition and travel support to attend meetings and participate in conferences. The FEAL project will contribute to a better-skilled, more diverse workforce of library professionals and produce a working model focused on increasing cultural awareness within libraries, library and information science schools, and other institutions.