UA’s Library School Association Announces Kate Webb Ragsdale Scholarship

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Library School Association of the School of Library and Information Studies at The University of Alabama has announced the establishment of the Kate Webb Ragsdale Endowed Scholarship to honor the legacy of Kate Webb Ragsdale.

“Kate was a valued alumna and dear friend of the school,” said Dr. Heidi Julien, SLIS director. “Her dedication to the field of academic librarianship was unmatched, and her leadership and volunteerism will be remembered and honored through this scholarship.”

Ragsdale, who died in February, retired as planning officer for the University Libraries at UA in 2006. She was awarded the Library Leadership Board Faculty Award in 2004. During her years on the faculty of the University Libraries, she was dedicated to excellent performance to her institution and to her profession. In professional associations at both state and national levels, Ragsdale demonstrated leadership by sharing her knowledge and experience through committee work, presentations and publications.

In retirement, Ragsdale continued her professional service as a volunteer with the Friends of the Library Bookstore of the Tuscaloosa Public Library.

Ragsdale was a member of several boards, councils and committees for several organizations, including the American Library Association, the Association of College and Research Libraries, the Library Administration and Management Association, Special Libraries Association, Southeastern Library Association, and the Alabama Library Association, serving as an officer when called.

Ragsdale earned a bachelor’s degree from Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va., in 1963.  She earned the Master of Library Science in 1986 from the School of Library and Information Studies at The University of Alabama and received the LSA Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012.

Once endowed, the Kate Webb Ragsdale Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to students at the School of Library and Information Studies. Preference will be given to students who wish to pursue a career in academic libraries.

Online contributions for the scholarship may be made on the UA Advancement website. Contributions can also be mailed to The University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences, Attn: Neely Portera, Box 870172, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.

The School of Library and Information Studies is an academic unit of UA’s College of Communication and Information Sciences.