The American Library Association announced on July 21 three 2003 Diversity Research Grants. One was awarded to La Loria Konata, reference and policy studies liaison librarian and Tim Zou, department head, access and media services at Georgia State University Pullen Library. Their research project, "A Study of Career Development patterns of Library Managers and Directors of Ethnic Minority in Selected ARL Member Libraries," is designed to track the career development path of librarians of under represented racial and ethnic groups and to assess the overall organizational environment that has contributed to their success in their career development and barriers that have hampered their career advancement. The project was submitted under this year's Research Topic 3 - Furthering Diversity Initiatives in a Skeptical Environment.
Each year the Office for Diversity and the Diversity Research Grant Jury identify three areas of scholarship where research is needed. One proposal is chosen from within each topic for a total of three awards. Grant recipients are expected to compile the results of their research into a paper and are asked to present and publish the final product in conjunction with ALA. The 2003 Diversity Research Grants recipients will present their research at the 2004 Annual Conference program in Orlando.