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 an undergraduate or graduate degree and interested in working for Richland Library.

Fellowship recipients will be required to complete a research and reporting based project. While fellows are not required to be in Columbia or onsite Monday – Friday, the project may require completion of tasks in the Columbia area—both at the library and in the community.

Fellowship recipients will be expected to: 
• report to Richland Library Main (1431 Assembly St.) to meet their project manager and receive project instructions
• begin their fellowship project the first week of their school's semester (date flexible)
• create and implement their own project schedule
• complete the fellowship project during the designated semesters.

Application submissions are currently open. All requested forms must be postmarked by Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

View the 2021 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 to a South Carolina university or college;
• are working on an undergraduate or graduate degree;
• 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 Tuesday, June 15, 2021:

• proof of admission into a South Carolina college or university in any field of study;
• 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 Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

Application Submission

Please submit all required documents to:

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

Deadline for Application

All requested forms must be postmarked by Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

Notification of Awards

2021 applicants will be notified regarding their status by Thursday, July 15, 2021.

Frequency and Amount of Awards

The Ethel Bolden Minority Fellowship will be awarded* annually in the amount of $3,500. Fellow 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.