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LEADers II Library School Scholarship Program

Me? A librarian?

Yes, we know what comes to mind when you hear the word librarian: Marion.

So first, let’s dispel a few of the popular myths about modern day librarianship:

Sensible shoes are NOT required.
Glasses are optional.
Sshhhing people is not a major job duty.
You don’t have to love to read, read, read. . .all day, everyday.
Being a librarian does not mean committing to a life of poverty and sitting on a hard chair behind a desk your entire workday.
You do not have to wear your hair in a bun.

Now that we have that clear, let’s take a more accurate look at librarianship:
	Today, public librarians are gatekeepers of reliable information and hold titles such as “Electronic Resource Manager,” “Information Specialist” and “Knowledge Guru.” Like most other professions, becoming a public librarian involves specialized education - A Master’s degree in Library Science is required in most major library systems including the Denver Public Library. Professional public librarianship includes a wide range of opportunities. Possibilities include working with children, developing web sites, selecting materials, developing public programming and managing teams of people.
Public librarianship embraces the entire community through a variety of activities such as:

Storytimes
ESL classes
Bilingual services
Children and family programs
Adult programs (job literacy, cooking, film series, etc.)
Computer instruction

Outreach to underserved populations
Reading, DVD and CD recommendations
Research and access to historical reading and art
And much, much more...

Salaries are competitive with the private sector.
Modern public libraries carry an enormous variety of materials for educational and entertainment
purposes: books, DVDs, CDs, computers, art and historical collections, to name a few.
Librarianship is a high-energy, customer-focused profession.
Public libraries value and thrive on diversity. Having a staff that reflects the community is a priority.

Now, are you more interested in public librarianship? What if we toss in a free degree?

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Denver Public Library, University of Denver and REFORMA Colorado are partnering to offer a Master’s in Library Science program scholarship opportunity too good to pass up: FULL tuition and fees for those selected who meet at least one of the following priorities:

Lisa Murillo, Senior Librarian, left, and Pilar Castro-Reino, Cluster Manager, right, select books for a bilingual storytime. Providing services in Spanish and English is an important part of serving the community.

Minority applicants with fluency in a second language, preferably Spanish    or Vietnamese;

Minority Applicants willing to commit to Library- sponsored Spanish    classes and applicants with Spanish fluency;

Applicants willing to commit to Library-sponsored Spanish classes and    applicants with any other second language fluency.

Scholarships are available for attendance at the University of Denver’s Library and Information Science Program for classes completed before May 2010.

Would you like to learn more about what you would be getting yourself into?

If you would like to learn more about public librarianship, we are happy to help. Job shadowing, departmental visits, tours or meet & greets can all be arranged at your convenience.

Download the printable brochure (PDF)

For more information about the LEADers II Scholarship Program, please contact Kristen Svendsen at 720-865-2073 or ksvendse@denverlibrary.org. Application deadline is December 15, 2007.

Library Science Program contacts:

University of Denver
303-871-2509 or ed-info@du.edu
The Library and Information Science (LIS) Program at the University of Denver, College of Education, has developed a unique curriculum that serves the rapidly changing needs of library students, information professionals, and information entrepreneurs in the Rocky Mountain region. The cornerstone of the program is the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree with concentrations in library and information resources and technology, archives and records management, school library media, and knowledge management. The LIS program at DU is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) and is the only Rocky Mountain-based Master’s degree program in library science.

REFORMA Colorado is the local chapter of REFORMA, the national association dedicated to promoting library and information services to Latinos and the Spanish speaking.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.

Download the printable brochure (PDF)

*LEAD = Librarian Education And Diversification