Please spread the word.  More information available after August 3^rd.

The San Jose School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) is partnering with the American Indian Library Association (AILA) to launch Circle of Learning — an initiative designed to recruit and support American Indians and Alaska Natives who are interested in earning a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree. 

The scholarship program is designed for Native students who want to earn a fully online ALA-accredited MLIS degree.  Scholarship recipients will receive financial assistance and other support, including mentoring, career advisement, field experiences, involvement in professional conferences and workshops, and interaction with Native leaders in the profession. 

Because all courses are delivered fully online, students will be able to live anywhere while earning their MLIS degree.  Circle of Learning’s unique blended approach of online curriculum delivery and face-to-face social and professional interactions will help ensure that scholarship recipients receive personalized support and develop a professional network that will benefit them in the years ahead.

The Circle of Learning scholarship program is made possible because of a generous grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums.  IMLS announced the award on June 15, 2010.  View their announcement here:  http://www.imls.gov/news/2010/061510.shtm

The Circle of Learning advisory committee is finalizing application criteria.  Details regarding eligibility for scholarships and application materials will be available on the project website by August 3, 2010.   Students will need to be admitted to the School’s MLIS program in order to receive scholarship funding, and the individuals selected to receive scholarships will be eligible to start receiving tuition reimbursement for courses taken during the Spring 2011 semester.

For more information regarding the Circle of Learning project, including application information and deadlines, please visit the project’s website at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/circleoflearning/.

For more information about SLIS and how to apply to the School’s fully online MLIS program, visit http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/audience/prospective.htm.

To learn more about the American Indian Library Association and its initiatives to improve library and information services for American Indians, visit http://www.ailanet.org/.

For information regarding this announcement, please contact Lisa Valdez at lvaldez@slis.sjsu.edu.