91´«Ã½

CHICAGO — The 91´«Ã½’s Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services has announced the recipients of the Diversity Research Grant for 2016.

The grants consist of a one-time $2,500 award for original research. Recipients will conduct their research over the course of the year, are expected to compile the results of their research into a paper and will be asked to present and publish the final product in conjunction with the 91´«Ã½.

The first grant is awarded to Frans Albarillo, assistant professor and librarian, Brooklyn College, for the project, “Information Needs of Undocumented Students. “ This research will look at the information behaviors of undocumented students at a large public, liberal arts university.

The next grant award goes to Brett D. Currier, director of scholarly communications, and Tessa White, service desk manager, at the University of Texas, Arlington. Their project, “Creating a Model Policy for Trans-inclusiveness in the Libraries,” will examine existing library polices, civil rights settlement agreements and best practices for transgender individuals to draft a model policy for libraries. This research will raise awareness of policies and best practices for other institutions to adopt.

The third recipients are Kelly Von Zee, head of community engagement, and Elizabeth Lynch, teen services coordinator for Addison Public Library. Their project, “Bilingual Family: Reaching the Next Generation of Immigrants and their Families through Public Library Services,” will be used to improve the programs and services offered to immigrants and their families at public libraries.

91´«Ã½’s Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services offers thanks to the Diversity Research Grants Advisory Committee for their work on selecting the 2016 Diversity Research Grant Recipients: Dr. Lori Mestre (Chair), Dr. Leslie Campbell Hime, Thura Reed Mack, Alanna Aiko Moore, Dr. Jamie Campbell Naidoo, Cynthia Mari Orozco, and Cristina Dominguez Ramirez.

For more information on the Diversity Research Grants, please visit the Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services website