Thanks to Lindsay Bjerke with Norton Realty for their support.
The Dakota County Library Foundation awarded its first scholarship to West St. Paul library worker Hannah Heinicke.
Why it matters: “This scholarship is more than just financial aid—it’s a strategic investment in the future of library services in Dakota County,” said Foundation Executive Director Rachel Davis. She pointed to library staffing challenges and the need to “nurture a homegrown cohort of well-trained librarians who are likely to serve in our community.”
What is it: The William G. Asp Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship of $2,500 to help anyone who lives, works, or volunteers in Dakota County take classes in library sciences.
- Who: The scholarship honors William “Bill” Asp, a lifelong librarian who died in 2021. Asp served as the director of the Dakota County Library system from 1996 to 2003 and founded the Dakota County Library Foundation.
- Funding: “When Bill passed away, he left a significant portion of his estate to the Foundation,” said Davis. “It has long been a dream of the Foundation to support students with a scholarship, and we felt it was very fitting to make this part of Bill’s legacy.”
The Inaugural Winner
The first scholarship recipient, Heinicke is the circulation supervisor at Wentworth Library in West St. Paul. She is about halfway through a master’s degree in library and information sciences from San Jose State University.
Reaction: “A deep sense of gratitude for sure!” said Heinicke. “I feel so fortunate that I have a career where I get to help folks every day and it’s really wonderful to know that the Library Foundation is supporting people pursuing library work.”
Around town: With Wentworth Library undergoing renovations, Heinicke can be found at the Dakota County Northern Service Center temporary library location, as well as Kaposia Library in South St. Paul.
Legacy of Libraries: Connection
Asp’s vision for libraries included equitable public access and innovation. He spearheaded new services such as “Ask a Librarian,” expanded formats including DVDs, ebooks, and book club kits, and championed multicultural programming.
- Philosophy: Asp believed libraries work best as part of a larger system built on collaboration and resource sharing.
- Looking for: As such, the Foundation hopes to support “librarians who think locally and connect globally,” Davis said.
- Weather cuts: Especially as libraries face budget cuts, partnerships can bridge the gaps.
“Libraries thrive when they’re connected, working together to ensure equitable access to information for everyone, no matter where they are,” Davis said.
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