Proposed by Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the Librarian Education Development Act would provide up to $5,000 in loan forgiveness to qualified librarians, teachers, and child-welfare workers in low-income communities.
“Librarians are facing a dire shortage across the nation,” Grijalva said. “The amendment would provide substantial incentives for tomorrow’s leaders to help educate and assist America’s children who live in some of the poorest, most impoverished communities in our country.”
“Loan forgiveness means that more people will be able to attend library school at a time when much of the profession is nearing retirement age,” said ALA Washington Office Executive Director Emily Sheketoff, adding that the bill “will also help foster greater diversity in the library profession.”
Posted July 29, 2005.