REFORMA National Conference III

The El Paso Chapter of REFORMA will be hosting the third REFORMA National Conference in El Paso, Texas from September 18 - 21st. The theme of this year's conference is "Bridging the Gaps - Juntos @ the Border". The theme is very appropriate given the location of the conference. The population along the El Paso/Cuidad Juarez border nears two million. The majority of who are Hispanic, Spanish speaking individuals coming from diverse backgrounds. Providing pertinent library service to this population offers many challenges. The conference promises to be an eye-opening dynamic affair, sure to provide a dialog on many issues facing REFORMA members in the years to come.

Along with the conference, El Paso offers many opportunities for social enrichment. El Paso has Missions, museums, galleries, a zoo, a casino and many other fun things to do. Our restaurants offer a cornucopia of multicultural experiences. The local arrangements committee has planned several events showcasing our lovely city and providing a wealth of entertainment including tours of local libraries, the Missions and Cuidad Juarez.

Information about the programs, keynote speakers, registration and more is available on the RNC III web site accessible through the REFORMA web site at www.reforma.org. The conference hotel will be the beautiful and historic Camino Real in downtown El Paso, half a block from the convention center. Room rates for the conference will be $105 single/double; $120 triple; and $135 quad. per day. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-769-4300 or 915-534-3099, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 pm. MST. Please register as soon as possible and spread the word!

New Diversity Fellowship Opportunity

New Diversity Fellowship Opportunity

The State Library of Indiana has received a $1 million grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services for recruiting and educating 30 ethnically/racially diverse students for the Indiana Librarians Leading in Diversity project. The application process will go live next Monday, August 4, by noon. Potential candidates must apply to the Indiana University School of Library and Information Science (IU SLIS Application – Indianapolis / Bloomington) by September 15, 2008. The application process is open until 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 3, 2008.

Ten candidates a year for three years are eligible to be selected for this Master of Library Science Degree Fellowship program. Applicants must have a primary self-identification as American Indian/Alaska Native; Asian; Black/African-American; Hispanic/Latino; or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander. In addition to applying to the library school, candidates will be required to complete a fellowship application which includes an essay and two letters of recommendation from non-relatives.

Successful candidates will be required to sign a fellowship agreement, attend an orientation week in Indianapolis in early December, and begin classes full time with the spring semester on January 12, 2009. Candidates also must commit to work two years in Indiana libraries upon graduation.

The fellowship award will cover tuition for up to 36 credit hours completed within 18 months. Stipends up to $15,500.00 will be available to cover room, board, and travel expenses.

This grant opportunity was given as part of the Laura Bush 21^st Century Librarian Program. Additionally, the project is supported by the Indiana State Library's Diversity Advisory Council, Academic Libraries of Indiana, Administrators of Large Public Libraries in Indiana, the Indiana Black Librarians Network, the Indiana Library Federation, and the Indiana Special Libraries Association. For more information, contact Marcia Smith-Woodard at mwoodard@library.in.gov, (317) 232-3719 or (800) 451-6028.