Johnson C. Smith University News August 3, 2020 James B. Duke Memorial Library at Johnson C. Smith University Awarded $249,843.00 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) The James B. Duke Memorial Library at Johnson C. Smith University was awarded $249,843.00 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program to support the Diversity Archivist Partnership (DAP) project. The funding will allow Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) to develop and execute a training and internship program that introduces undergraduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to a wide range of careers and opportunities within the fields of Library Science, Archives, and Cultural Preservation. This three-year program will develop and use online instruction and hands-on experiences curated by qualified practitioners to expose undergraduates to the library and archives professions and consequently work to address the field's diversity gap. Students will learn the basics of archival and preservation practices and gain leadership skills through digital courses, internships, and two Summer Institutes. It is only befitting that Historically Black Colleges and Universities have an active role in diversifying the libraries and archives profession. This project represents a unique chance to expose African American undergraduate students to careers within libraries and archives, while boldly increasing diversity said Monika Rhue, Project Director and Director of Library Services and Curation. The success of this award is a team effort. Dr. Tekla Johnson and Brandon Lunsford are contributing authors to the DAP proposal and they will serve as the Co-PIs and Project Coordinators for JCSU. Dr. Johnson serves as a librarian working on diverse projects for the library, including electronic resources, open education resources, and archives projects. Previously, Dr. Johnson has served as the Director History Program Co-Coordinator of new Africana Studies Minor at Harris-Stowe State University, St. Louis Missouri. Brandon Lunsford is the University Archivist and Digital Manager, and his experiences have included creating a digital interactive map of the historic African American neighborhoods surrounding Johnson C. Smith University funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Some of our project partners are Bennet College, Thomas F. Holgate Library, Shaw University, James E. Cheek Learning Resources Center, Raleigh, HBCU Library Alliance, North Carolina Digital Heritage Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, South Carolina Digital Library, North Carolina Central University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and University of South Carolina. This year IMLS received 113 applications requesting $31,072,018. Of these, IMLS selected 32 projects to receive funding totaling $8,269,614. Sandra M. Phoenix HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at HBCUs - Become an ally and partner with us to protect, preserve and share a more authentic record of American history. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/humanities-2019.html for more information. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/ and click on the Donate Now button to invest in this project. Your support is appreciated. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/