Richland Library Friends and Foundation names 2026–27 Ethel Bolden Minority Fellows
August 27, 2026
The Richland Library Friends and Foundation announced Afnan Hakami and Kimberly Jones as the 2026-27 Ethel Bolden Minority Fellows. Each fellow will complete a semester-long project supporting the work of Richland Library.
The Ethel Bolden Minority Fellowship encourages and supports students from underserved and underrepresented ethnic and racial groups who are pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science(opens in new tab) or Ph.D. in Library and Information Science(opens in new tab) at the University of South Carolina. Each fellow receives an $8,500 stipend, works with Richland Library on a project for one semester, and presents the results of their work to the Richland Library Friends and Foundation Board.
Afnan Hakami is pursuing a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science and will serve as the Spring 2027 Ethel Bolden Minority Fellow. Hakami will design and implement a data collection system for Read Freely Fest(opens in new tab), Richland Library’s annual book festival.
Kimberly Jones, Location Manager at Richland Library Eastover, is pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science and will serve as the Fall 2026 Ethel Bolden Minority Fellow. Jones will collect oral histories for the Walker Local and Family History Center’s(opens in new tab) historical collections.
Originally established as a scholarship in 2010, the fellowship recognizes Ethel Bolden’s years of service to the Richland County community and its libraries.
About the Richland Library Friends and Foundation
The Richland Library Friends and Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, governed by a Board of Trustees(opens in new tab), whose mission is to support Richland Library by raising awareness and financial support.
