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September 4, 2003. A new Minority Librarian Residency Program
brings three beginning librarians to the UT Libraries this fall. The purpose of the
program is to attract recent library school graduates from underrepresented groups
to a challenging and rewarding career in academic librarianship. Kawanna Bright,
Jayati Chaudhuri, and Maud Mundava began their two-year residencies on September 2.
Residents will participate in all collegial activities, including library committees and
professional associations. Under the guidance of other librarians, the Residents will work
in various areas of the library during the first year of the program. During the second year,
each resident will complete a specialized project.
Kawanna Bright received the Masters of Library and Information Science from the University
of Washington in June. At UW, Ms. Bright was an active participant on the Information
School’s Diversity Committee and the creator of several websites. She was awarded an
assistantship sponsored by UW’s Graduate Opportunities and Minority Achievement Program.
She has expressed an interest in outreach to students, increasing students’ use of the
library, and serving as a mentor to others.
Jayati Chaudhuri earned her MLIS from the University of Rhode Island last fall.
Ms. Chaudhuri holds a second masters in geography (University of Calcutta, India)
and has been awarded numerous scholarships. Throughout her student career, Ms. Chaudhuri
provided orientation for new international students, and she would like to do the same
at the University of Tennessee. Another interest is improving the functionality and
ease-of-use of the library’s online system.
Maud Mundava received her MLIS this spring from SUNY-Buffalo as a Fulbright Scholar.
She holds a BA in history and two postgraduate diplomas from the University of Cape Town,
South Africa and previously worked as a librarian at the University of Zimbabwe.
Ms. Mundava is interested in furthering her reference skills and in working more
closely with faculty from various academic disciplines. She feels relationships
with teaching faculty are critical and a direct link to user satisfaction.
This program for entry-level librarians offers benefits for the Residents and
for the UT Libraries. Minority Librarian Residents will gain substantial professional
experience early in their careers. Increasing UT library faculty and staff diversity
strengthens programs and services while promoting a more welcoming environment for
all students. In addition, a successful Minority Librarian Residency Program will
attract top-notch minority applicants for other positions in the Libraries.
The Minority Librarian Residency Program is funded by the UT Libraries and the UT Chancellor’s Office.
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