IMLS SWILS Scholarship Announcement
The School of Information Science and the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky are pleased to announce a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarianship grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The grant will support students in either the MSLS or the MSW program at UK.
The fellowship program aims to examine the contemporary challenges libraries face and how social work-informed solutions can help address them. The program will prepare students to address the changing needs of library patrons and further develop interdisciplinary library/social work partnerships to better serve patrons.
Twelve academically qualified fellows will be selected and will complete requirements in 2026 and 2027. Participants will take four courses:
- Introduction to Social Work-Informed Library Services
- Advanced Social Work-Informed Library Services
- Public Libraries (LIS 645)
- Practicum (LIS 672/ SW 640, 740 or 741)
Scholarship Information:
- Scholarship application
- Includes tuition for four courses, including a practicum
- Includes student fees for two semesters (spring and fall semesters)
- Includes stipend ($5,000) to complete on-site practicum (300 – 400 hours) at a partnering public library located in IN, KY, or MO. Every effort will be made to match selected students with a partnering library in their geographic area.
- Virtual information session: Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 3pm. Registration is open
- Scholarship application deadline: November 30, 2025
Contact Dr. Youngok Choi (Youngok.choi@uky.edu) or Dr. Matt Moore (mattmoore@uky.edu) for admissions information.
Eligibility and admission criteria for scholarship consideration:
To be considered for the IMLS scholarships, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Accepted or enrolled in the MSLS or the MSW program at UK.
- Completed scholarship application by November 30, 2025.
- Be eligible to enroll in the spring semester of 2026.
- Demonstrate strong academic performance in relevant undergraduate or graduate coursework, with a minimum GPA of 3.3.
Recipients of the scholarship may not receive other UK scholarships or tuition reduction. Contact Dr. Youngok Choi (youngok.choi@uky.edu) if you have questions about the scholarship.
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