Laura Bush Addresses Nation’s Shortage of Librarians

Last night Laura Bush announced a proposed $10 million initiative for 2003 to recruit a new generation of librarians. The initiative will be managed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

In announcing this initiative Mrs. Bush said, “In May 2000, Library Journal magazine reported 40 percent of America’s library directors plan to retire in 9 years or less. And, according to the July 2000 Monthly Labor Review, in 1998 57 percent of professional librarians were age 45 or older.”

Recruiting a new generation of librarians is vital. Research scheduled for publication in the March 2002 issue of American Libraries magazine will show that based on 1990 Census data almost 58 percent of professional librarians will reach the age of 65 between 2005 and 2019.

Dr. Robert S. Martin, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent federal agency that supports the Nation’s 122,000 libraries, said, “The signing of the ‘No Child Left Behind Act’ this week is a great achievement. This recruitment initiative is a further indication of the depth of the President and Mrs. Bush’s commitment to education. Recruiting and educating the next generation of librarians is essential. They help parents teach their children before they enter school, they are partners with the schools in their communities and they help adults continue to achieve and enjoy learning throughout their lifetimes.”

Funds will be used to invest in a variety of recruitment efforts such as scholarships and fellowships for master’s programs; support for doctoral students who will train the next generation of librarians; leadership development; distance learning for underserved rural areas; and efforts to recruit librarians to serve increasingly diverse communities with diverse language skills.

Mrs. Bush made the announcement at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in Kansas.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) – IMLS is an independent Federal agency that fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation’s museums and libraries. Created by the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, P.L. 104-208, IMLS administers the Library Services and Technology Act and the Museum Services Act. For more information contact IMLS at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 202-606-8536, or http://www.imls.gov.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) – IMLS is an independent Federal agency that fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation’s museums and libraries. Created by the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, P.L. 104-208, IMLS administers the Library Services and Technology Act and the Museum Services Act. IMLS has an annual budget of approximately $230 million. The Institute receives policy advice from two Presidentially appointed, Senate confirmed entities: the National Commission for Libraries and Information Science and the National Museum Services Board. For more information, including grant applications, contact IMLS at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 202-606-8536, or http://www.imls.gov.