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BCALA NEWS Volume 41, Issue 3

Summer 2014

PHOTO: UNCG’S ACE SCHOLARS COHORT 3 WITH PROGRAM MENTORS

ACE Scholars Cohort Three Update

BY GERALD HOLMES, UNC-GREENSBORO

The ACE (Academic Cultural Enrichment) Scholars cohort three program completed a very busy Spring and Summer 2014 schedule of activities. This is an update to share news about recent activities that the students in the Master of Library and Information Science degree program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro completed. Eleven students were selected to begin the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program funded scholarship program that began in Fall 2013. The program was funded to broaden the level of diversity within the library profession. In addition to courses of interest, all ACE Scholars identified mentors and established a student/mentor connection; completed a diversity class; completed a community college class; and presented at concurrent and poster sessions at the April 2014 North Carolina Community College Library Association Conference. As of June 2014, the third cohort of ACE Scholars has completed 60 percent of the curriculum program. This summer, ACE Scholars were enrolled in LIS 688, a community college assessment

course. In the course the students conducted assessment projects for Central Piedmont

‘‘The program was funded to broaden the level of diversity within the library profession.’’

Community College Libraries using 2013-2014 library data. Working in three small groups, students analyzed data, detected trends, and prepared written reports for three areas: library reference, circulation of non-equipment items (includes books, audio books, kindles), and circulation of equipment items (includes laptops and student net books). Also this summer, the ACE Scholars Institute was held on June 14th. The Institute brought together alumni who participated on both cohorts 1 and 2 with current students in cohort 3. The Institute was designed to provide professional development beyond the grant. The Institute included opportunities to celebrate achievements, enhance leadership

Editor’s note: ACE Scholars Cohort 3 has 11 students (August 2013 – December 2014).