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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS Spring 2019

Dr. Clara M. Chu, director of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, is the recipient of the 2019 American Library Association Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) Distinguished Librarian Award. The Distinguished Librarian Award recognizes significant accomplishments in library services that are national or international in scope and include improving, spreading, and promoting multicultural librarianship…”

Source: http://www.ala.org/news/2019/1/chu-2019-distinguished-librarian-emiert


Ngoc-Yen Tran and Emily Chan presented at the Symposium on the Future of Libraries held during ALA 2019 Midwinter Conference. The presentation was titled, “Modernized Collaborations: Technologies Affecting Librarian Research Connections” and discussed the rise in research collaborations and how librarians use technology to find collaborators.


The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services seeks proposals for the Diversity Research Grant program. Applications may address any diversity-related topic which addresses critical gaps in the knowledge of diversity, equity and outreach issues within library and information science. Proposals are due by midnight Pacific time on April 15, 2019.

The Diversity Research Grant consists of a one-time $2,500 award for original research. A jury of ALA members will evaluate proposals and select up to three awards. Grant recipients will be announced ahead of the 2019 ALA Annual Conference. Researchers are invited to present interim findings at the News You Can Use Diversity Research Grant Update held each ALA Midwinter Meeting and are asked to publish findings in a publication of their choosing within one year of completing their project.

Proposals are currently being accepted for one year research projects that will be undertaken July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Grants should not be sought for work leading toward the completion of a degree, thesis or dissertation. A complete proposal must include the following: a cover letter, a one-page vita for each of the researchers involved (including ALA membership number, the Principal Investigator should hold ALA membership), a concise abstract of the project and a description of the project detailing the justification and needs for the research project, research objectives, expected outcomes and benefits and a budget plan and timeline on the provided template.

For examples of past projects and a complete list of criteria and proposal instructions, please visit: www.ala.org/research/larks/diversity.


The American Indian Library Association and the Asian Pacific American Librarian Association are now accepting applications for the Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture Grant. Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture is a literacy program that reaches out to Asian Pacific American (APA) and American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) children and their families. The program celebrates and explores Asian Pacific American (APA) and American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) stories through books, oral traditions, and art to provide an interactive, enriching experience. Children and their families can connect to rich cultural activities through Talk Story in their homes, libraries, and communities. This grant is aimed to give financial support to libraries and community organizations who want to introduce a Talk Story program, focusing on APA or AIAN cultures.

Talk Story grant funding is available due to the generous support of the American Indian Library Association for AILA Talk Story grants and the Toyota California Community Foundation for APALA Talk Story grants.

Applications and eligibility details can be found at www.talkstorytogether.org/ grants.