The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program awarded scholarships to three employees of Atlantic County Library System/Pleasantville.
Sandra Jones (at left in photo) received her bachelor’s degree from Thomas Edison State College. Angelica Mullin (center) and Jaimie Vigue (right) completed their studies for master’s degrees in library and information science from Rutgers University.
The IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program awarded scholarships to employees of urban public libraries in New Jersey. This summer three Atlantic County recipients, all from the Pleasantville branch of the Atlantic County Library System, have completed their studies.
Sandy, of Atlantic City, started as a library assistant. She had an associate degree and through the grant went back to school for her bachelor’s degree. With encouragement of her coworkers and branch manager, Pam Saunders, Sandy applied for the scholarship. Sandy said, “There were times when I wanted to throw my hands up, but the moral support from my coworkers helped me a lot.” Sandy is now a library associate.
Jaimie, of Egg Harbor Township, started volunteering at the Egg Harbor Township Branch of the Atlantic County Library System when she was 13 years old. She volunteered for 10 years. She started in the library system as a temporary library assistant. “When I was at Stockton I practically lived in the library. I put away my own books,” Jaimie said. “I had an opportunity to grow. Not everyone gets that lucky being offered a full scholarship.” Jaimie is now a librarian.
Angelica, also of Egg Harbor Township, was originally hired as a bi-lingual library assistant. Angelica said, “I have many interests and I feel like I can be that person in librarianship. I can be of service to others.” Angelica noted that she is interested in children’s and young adult services, literacy and language, and data and technology. Angelica is now a librarian.
The grant set a lot of things in motion. It opened up jobs for new staff members and it united colleagues who helped each other with homework questions and gave each other moral support throughout the time they were all in school. Sandy, Angelica, and Jaimie agreed that through the grant they were able to grow significantly and use the many things they learned in school at their current jobs with the Atlantic County Library System.