Information Science Graduate Students Named Touhey Library Equity Fellows
Seyvion Scott (left) and Johnathan Mata (right)
ALBANY, N.Y. (Sept. 22, 2020) – The Friends and Foundation of Albany Public Library (FFAPL) have selected Johnathan Mata and Seyvion Scott – both Information Science graduate students at the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) – as the inaugural Touhey Library Equity Fellows.
The two will gain frontline experience as part-time library assistants at the Albany Public Library. Their fellowships include support of about $13,000 annually, made possible through the support of the Carl E. Touhey Foundation.
Mata, a native of the Bronx, is a first-year master’s student concentrating in Information Management and Technology. He hopes to some day open his own business.
“I'm honored to receive this fellowship. It helps bring more attention to the importance of having access to information. Libraries are a hub for learning and should be inclusive to everyone. This gives me an opportunity to lead by example.”
Scott, a native of Rochester, is a second-year master’s student concentrating in Library and Information Services. Her goal is to work at a public library after graduation.
“This fellowship is important because it will provide me with the knowledge and experience of working in public libraries. It is an excellent opportunity for me to read books to children, help teenagers with research and college applications, and improve the digital literacies of patrons at the Albany Public Library.”
Diversifying Public Libraries
The Touhey Library Equity Fellowship was established with a goal of diversifying the professional staff of Albany Public Library to more closely represent the population of the City of Albany. It is offered to two Black students pursuing information science.
The program was originally scheduled to launch in June 2020, but was delayed due to COVID-19. Second-year applications will be available starting in January 2021.
“We are thrilled that Johnathan and Seyvion are the first recipients of the Touhey Library Equity Fellowship, which aims to diversify the professional staff of the Albany Public Library,” said CEHC Vice Dean Jennifer Goodall. “Diversity is one of the cornerstones of our college. This fellowship not only exemplifies that, but also offers students a valuable experiential learning opportunity with one of our closest community partners.”
“The Friends and Foundation of the Albany Public Library is proud to facilitate this essential scholarship to help bring more diversity and inclusion to our public libraries,” said Holly McKenna, FFAPL president. “We look forward to having our new fellows work with our library’s staff and our patrons next year. Thanks to the Touhey Foundation for supporting this effort.”
The Carl E. Touhey Foundation seeks to support local organizations and entities that have at their core the mission of promoting social and economic fairness for underserved and underrepresented populations in the City of Albany. Carl E. Touhey, a lifelong Albany businessman, passed away in 2013 at 95. As successful as he was, he equally enjoyed giving back to his community.
CEHC offers a BS in Informatics, along with various graduate-level degrees and certifications in Information Science, including a fully-online MS program in Information Science School Library. Despite the pandemic, all of the college’s program offerings in this space have grown enrollment by 125 percent or more this semester.