Librarians Serving the Poor May Gain Loan Forgiveness

-- Library Journal, 08/03/2005

Librarians serving in poor areas may benefit from student loan forgiveness, after the House of Representatives on July 21 passed an amendment to the Higher Education Act, H.R. 609. Sponsored by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), the amendment extends Section 428K of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include loan forgiveness to first responders in low-income communities, including librarians. It would provide up to $5000 in loan forgiveness for those who have served for five consecutive years in “areas of national need” as designated by the Secretary of Education. The expansion of the loan forgiveness program will offer better incentives to librarians who work in low-income areas. “Librarians are facing a dire shortage across the nation,” said Grijalva. “The numbers represent that 47 percent of our national librarians are expected to reach retirement by 2008. Grijalva’s wife, daughter, and son in law are librarians.