LSU School of Information Studies Researcher Kristina Shiroma Receives IMLS Grant to Strengthen Rural Libraries in Louisiana
December 11, 2025
The School of Information Studies is celebrating Assistant Professor, Dr. Kristina Shiroma, who has been awarded a three-year research grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for her project, “The Impact of Rural Libraries in Louisiana: Driving Systemic Change and Building Collaborative Network”.
The grant will support Dr. Shiroma’s work to investigate the facilitators and barriers within rural librarianship across Louisiana and to develop a sustainable support network tailored specifically to rural library needs. Her approach centers on highlighting the strengths of rural librarians rather than viewing them through a deficit lens.
“I’m approaching this from an asset-based approach,” Dr. Shiroma explained. “Rural libraries can be positioned as essential, resourceful, and innovative institutions that contribute significantly not only to their communities, but to the broader library field.”
A major component of the project is recognizing how rural librarians operate differently from larger systems. According to Dr. Shiroma, these libraries often have more freedom to problem-solve creatively and maintain direct relationships with patrons. By bringing rural librarians together, she hopes to create a collaborative environment where they can learn from one another, identify shared needs, and build a network that they themselves will sustain.
The idea for the project grew naturally from Dr. Shiroma’s experiences. She resided in a rural community, previously worked with rural libraries, and is connected to the Collaborative Institute for Rural Communities and Librarianship (CIRCL). Her past work, health-focused programs delivered through libraries, also shaped her commitment to partnering with community organizations.
Dr. Shiroma noted that inspiration also came from observing successful rural library leadership, such as a librarian in Pottsboro, Texas, whose community-driven solutions underscored the value of shared knowledge among rural professionals. Seeing how often librarians had to “reinvent the wheel” sparked Dr. Shiroma’s desire to create a network for Louisiana, built from the ground up.
Receiving this grant carries deep significance for Dr. Shiroma, who described the challenge of navigating the grant-writing process as a new assistant professor. This was her first attempt at writing a grant, and the experience took an emotional toll, particularly when she learned just days after submitting two applications that IMLS was being shuttered.
“When IMLS shuttered, with all my goals of starting research, you can imagine how hard it was to see it just gone,” she recalled. Months later, after a summer of uncertainty, Dr. Shiroma unexpectedly received emails in September notifying her that her applications were still under review. Soon after, she learned that her project had been funded.
“This is the start of my research,” she said. “It validates that my work is recognized as meaningful and powerful to science and our community. It’s a way for me to give back to rural Louisiana.”
The project spans three years and follows a phased structure. In the first year, Dr. Shiroma is focused on ramping up the work—recruiting a graduate assistant, obtaining IRB approval, beginning partnerships with rural libraries, and initiating data collection and analysis. Much of this early-stage activity is already underway.
If you are interested in learning more, you can contact Dr. Shiroma through her bio page.
About the LSU School of Information Studies
The LSU School of Information Studies (SIS) provides a 100% online prestigious education
in library & information science. It is the home of the Master of Library & Information
Science, which is the only program accredited by the American Library Association
in the state of Louisiana. SIS also offers a dual degree with the Department of History,
an undergraduate minor, and three graduate certificate options. SIS is a member of
the iSchools, a group of Information Schools dedicated to advancing the information
field. SIS is part of the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education.
Visit the School of Information Studies website.
About the College of Human Sciences & Education
The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division
of Louisiana State University. The college is comprised of the School of Education,
the School of Information Studies, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Leadership
& Human Resource Development, and the School of Social Work. CHSE has two model demonstration
schools, the Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool, enrolling birth to age
four and the University Laboratory School enrolling Kindergarten through grade 12.
The college also has four centers and institutes: the Early Childhood Education Institute,
the Healthy Aging Research Center, the Leadership Development Institute, and Social
Research & Evaluation Center. The college is committed to achieving the highest standards
in teaching, research, and service and aims to improve quality of life across the
lifespan.