IMLS Rural Libraries Grant - Kristina Shiroma

Led by Dr. Kristina Shiroma, Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University’s School of Information Studies, the project examines how rural librarians perceive the value of their services, how rurality shapes their professional experiences, and how they sustain library impact. Using in-depth, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with rural librarians across Louisiana, the study will employ a qualitative approach to center data within the lived experiences, expertise, and innovations of rural library professionals. The findings will directly inform the design and development of a collaborative support network aimed at strengthening professional connections, resource sharing, and statewide advocacy among rural libraries in Louisiana. Additionally, this research will advance academic discourse by applying an asset-based framework to rural librarianship, generating empirical data to inform best practices.

By aligning with the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program with the broader scope of the library and information science field, this study will make strides to push the national conversation to position rural libraries as essential drivers of systemic change within the field.

The project team’s work will be guided by these key research questions:

1. How do librarians in rural Louisiana perceive and assess the value of their libraries’ services within their communities?

2. In what ways does rurality impact the challenges and opportunities faced by librarians in rural Louisiana?

3. How do librarians rural Louisiana sustain the impact of their libraries?

Key outcomes:

Beyond academic dissemination, the project will establish a community-developed framework for a rural library network, shaped by participants’ input. While the specific structure will be determined through data analysis, possibilities include collaborative resource-sharing platforms, professional development initiatives, and strategies for engagement with larger library systems. To ensure sustainability, post-project workshops will be held to share findings, refine the network’s direction, and facilitate discussions on long-term implementation. These workshops

will serve as a model for future community-led library initiatives, extending the reach of the project beyond its initial participants. To maximize impact, findings and resources will be made publicly available through open-access publications, professional library organizations, and partnerships with rural library consortia.

 

Shiroma, Kristina. “The Impact of Rural Libraries in Louisiana: Driving Systemic Change and Building Collaborative Networks.” Institute of Museum and Library Services, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, Early Career Research Development Grant, 2025 – 2028. $389,974 Funded.