Natalie Bazan, a graduate student in the KU Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, is the recipient of the 2009 Carl and Margaret Husic Award to Support Librarianship in Less Commonly Taught Languages.

The scholarship, which was created last year by KU Librarian Geoff Husic, includes $1,200 to support graduate study in librarianship. Bazan has been accepted to the library and information science master’s program at the University of Illinois.

The award requires the recipient to have had in-depth study in at least one less commonly taught language. Bazan has spent years studying Russian literature, culture and history.

“I was just finishing my Masters in Slavic Languages and Literature at KU, and I wanted very much to continue using the skills I have acquired over the past two years,” said Bazan. “Since this award was geared toward a combination of foreign language and librarianship, it was perfect for me.”

Professor Maria Carlson, chair of the award selection committee, said Bazan was an ideal candidate for the award.

“Ms. Bazan combines her area and language knowledge with superb computer skills,” said Carlson. “She has shown remarkable aptitude for librarianship, both in its traditional and technological aspects.”

Husic, a Slavic and special languages librarian at KU, created the award in honor of his parents, Margaret Husic and the late Carl John Husic, Sr., who devoted their work lives to the health and ecological sciences, but also have a great appreciation for foreign languages and music.

Husic said language skills would be essential to the survival of librarianship in the future.

“It is nearly impossible for an academic research library to function without a great deal of in-house language expertise,” said Husic. “Everything from cataloging, collection development and reference/research assistance will frequently require knowledge of foreign languages and regional specialization. In a more and more globalized world, professionally trained librarians covering a variety of these areas will continue to be essential to the mission of libraries going forward.”

Carlson too stressed the need for diversity in the library realm in the face of globalization.

“Monolingual Americans think that all the world speaks English; they are wrong,” said Carlson. “Knowledge of foreign languages opens the pathway to deep knowledge of the culture and mentalité of other nations.  Why should other cultures know more about us and who we are than we know about them and who they are?  Is that to our national advantage?  The Husic Award recognizes this reality and promotes social and humanistic librarianship in all aspects.”

Contact: Rebecca Smith, KU LIbraries, (785) 864-1761.