Apply for the Ethel Bolden Minority Fellowship

The Richland Library Friends and Foundation awards the Ethel Bolden Minority Fellowship annually to honor and recognize Ethel Bolden’s years of service to the Richland County community and its libraries. You can learn more about the barrier-breaking work of Ethel Bolden here.

The $3,500 fellowship seeks to encourage and provide financial support to students from underserved/underrepresented ethnic and racial groups who are working toward the completion of a Master of Library and Information Science degree at the University of South Carolina and interested in working for Richland Library.

Fellows are expected to work on a library project for 7-10 hours per month at a Richland Library location for one semester (Fall or Spring) and make a brief presentation on the scope and deliverables of their project at a Richland Library Friends and Foundation Board meeting.

Application submissions are currently open. All requested forms must be postmarked by Monday, June 30, 2025.

View the 2025 Application

Eligibility Requirements

Individuals are eligible to submit an application for the Ethel Bolden Minority Fellowship if they:

• are a legal resident of South Carolina;
• have been fully admitted into the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree program at the University of South Carolina (full or part-time status);
• have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service or other activities;
• have shown outstanding academic performance; and
• are a member of an underserved/underrepresented racial or ethnic group.

Application Requirements

The following information must be submitted/postmarked by Monday, June 30, 2025:

• proof of admission into the MLIS degree program at the University of South Carolina;
• completed application for the Ethel Bolden Minority Fellowship;
• current résumé;
• 300 word essay that highlights how the applicant will uniquely support the library and the diverse communities we serve. If applicant has experience with oral or historical storytelling, please include this information in the essay. Academic, work or volunteer experience that emphasizes competencies should also be included; and
• two letters of reference from individuals who are able to describe the applicant’s academic, work and/or community service achievements. References should be placed in sealed envelopes and postmarked no later than Monday, June 30, 2025.

Application Submission

Please submit all required documents to:

Tina Gills
Philanthropy Director
tgills@richlandlibrary.com
Richland Library
1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Deadline for Application

All requested forms must be postmarked by Monday, June 30, 2025.

Notification of Awards

2025 applicants will be notified regarding their status by Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Frequency and Amount of Awards

Up to two Ethel Bolden Minority Fellowships will be awarded* annually in the amount of $3,500 each (Fall semester and Spring semester). Fellows will receive payment as partial upfront (50%) and successful completion remaining (50%).

* The selection committee reserves the right to elect not to award the fellowship if it does not receive at least one complete application from a candidate meeting the high standards of the fellowship.