The Fresno State Library received a $10,000 grant from the American Library Association to expand materials and provide support for Asian American studies.
The Building Library Capacity grant, written by librarians Balladolid Lopez and Kimberley Robles Smith, along with Jenny Banh (associate professor of Asian American studies and anthropology), is intended to bolster library operations and services that experienced cuts as a result of the challenges of the pandemic.
“With the grant, the library can purchase new resources to support the growing Asian American studies program [at Fresno State],” Lopez said. “This expands our capacity to collaborate with Asian American student groups and faculty to select resources, as well as foster strong partnerships with the Hmong Student Association, Lao Student Association, Amerasia Student Association, Magkasia Fresno State and others.”
The American Library Association created the grants in response to data that shows students in general, and underrepresented students in particular, need a greater array of support to stay on track to graduate from college. The grants help ensure academic libraries have funding to meet and respond to these students’ needs.
Fresno State is designated as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, as well as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
“It has been our observation that [minority-serving institution] libraries are often called to support first-generation college students and students who have to navigate substantial obstacles to graduation with limited budgets and human resources,” said Tracie D. Hall, executive director for the American Library Association. “ALA intends these grants be catalytic – helping jumpstart or expand new programs, services or even staffing models.”
The American Library Association Building Library Capacity grants receive support through a three-year grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Find a complete list of grant recipients on the Building Library Capacity website.
