Characteristics of recipients of the Higher Education Act Title II-B Fellowships in the Southwest Region: 1966-1993

The purpose of the study is to determine the impact of the Higher Education Act (HEA) Title II-B Fellowship Program on the field of librarianship through an examination and analysis of demographic and career path characteristics of recipients of the fellowship in the Department of Education Southwest Region. Criteria for evaluating the Title II-B Fellowship Program were developed using previous studies and original documents such as HEA authorization and reauthorization hearings testimony. Deans and directors of programs in the Department of Education Southwest Region that had received Title II-B monies during the years 1965 through 1993 were asked to provide names and contact information of the fellowship recipients. A questionnaire was sent to all identified recipients. Of the 119 identified subjects, thirty-six responses were usable. Data were collected and analyzed descriptively. Data from the annual supply and demand articles in Library Journal and from the National Center of Education Statistics were used to analyze a secondary research question relating to supply and demand for librarians. The findings in the current study indicate that the population of Title II-B fellows from institutions in the Southwest Region are similar to Title II-B fellows described in other studies. The impact of the II-B program upon the profession of librarianship appears to be a positive one.