East Carolina University (East Carolina University, College of Education, Department of Library Science and Instructional Technology)

Rural public schools in the economically depressed communities of eastern North Carolina face daunting challenges in recruiting and retaining school librarians. East Carolina University and its partner, the North Carolina School Library Media Association, will recruit and educate 30 MLS school librarians from economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented backgrounds and place them in school library media centers. The project will use the “grow your own” model, focusing on individuals who want to stay and work in eastern North Carolina by completing their degrees in an all-online degree program.