Cathy Aster selected for HBCU-DLF Authenticity Project

Cathy Aster has been selected as a Conversation Partner for the IMLS-funded Authenticity Project. In a collaboration by the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Library Alliance  and the Digital Library Federation, the mentoring and professional development program provides opportunities for staff at HBCUs and predominantly white institutions (PWIs) to foster connections and build information exchanges using a project-based focus. The goal of the Authenticity Project is “to create a more diverse, inclusive, collaborative and cohesive next-generation digital library workforce, ready to work across types of institutions in building infrastructure of various kinds (social and technological) in service to a wide array of communities.” 

The 2019 Authenticity Project cohort consists of 15 fellows, each of whom have been paired with a Mentor from an HBCU Library Alliance institution and a Conversation Partner from the DLF membership. Project partners will meet throughout the year to participate in facilitated group discussions, and work directly with their matches on a set of goals articulated and prioritized by each fellow. Fellows are funded by the project to attend the annual DLF Forum, where they can accomplish further work with their cohort.

Cathy’s Fellow match is Raquel Donahue, Reference and Instruction Librarian at Prairie View A&M University, located 30 miles outside of Houston, Texas. Prairie View A&M is both an HBCU and a land-grant University. Cathy and Raquel will fortunately have the opportunity to meet in person at the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries in May, in Austin, Texas, where they are both presenting. How fitting that the theme of the TCDL meeting is "breaking down barriers." 

Congratulations, Cathy, and thank you for your service to the digital library community!

For more on the Authenticity Project, refer to the official press release.