Lac du Flambeau Libraries Awarded ALA 2011 Loleta D. Fyan Grant

Mary Mann and Terry O’Connor, in partnership with the Lac du Flambeau Public Library, have been awarded the 2011 Loleta D. Fyan Grant for a proposal entitled “Revitalizing Libraries in Indian Country: The Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Research Center.” The project team proposed to create a research space located within the Lac du Flambeau Public Library that will provide the most extensive, diverse and up-to-date multimedia sources on local, regional and national Native American culture, both past and present.
 The Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Research Center will provide a space for students, local residents and visitors to learn more about Native culture through the library’s collection of more than 350 books, as well as its Internet resources and video collection. The Center will also serve as a model for other rural Native libraries seeking to maintain relevance and vitality in their communities for generations to come.

“There were a number of worthy proposals this year for the Loleta D. Fyan Grant, making it a tough decision for the jury to reach. The Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe project to establish a research center, fostering an awareness of Native American history and culture on this impoverished Indian Reservation, stood out from the others,” said Larry Grieco, chair of the Fyan Grant jury. “It will in turn be vital to the Tribe’s Historic Preservation efforts and be a lasting source of pride and joy to the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.”

This $5,000 grant, given annually on a competitive basis, is named for Loleta D. Fyan, an ALA past-president (1951-52), who provided funds for the American Library Association (ALA) in her will. The grant supports a project that will develop and/or improve public library services, will effect changes that are innovative and responsive to the future and have potential for broader impact and application beyond a specific local need. Applicants can include, but are not limited to, local, regional or state libraries, associations or organizations, including ALA units, library schools or individuals.

For guidelines and a list of previous winners see:
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ors/orsawards/fyanloletad/fyanloletad.cfm
(American Libraries Direct, February 2, 2011)