The Friends of the Libraries Kona (FOLK) recently established the Arne and Ruth Werchick Masters in Library and Information Sciences scholarship fund, reaffirming its continuing support of professional library training. The new scholarship will award $6,000 annually to a candidate enrolled in an American Association of Library Sciences accredited MLIS program.
The scholarship from the Arne and Ruth Werchick Charitable Fund was preceded earlier this year by a grant of $3,500 from the fund to help support FOLK’s ongoing scholarship program.
FOLK has been awarding scholarship grants annually to selected applicants since 2013. To date, 14 scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000 have been awarded totaling $31,000. Some of the recipients are currently working in library-related positions in the Kona area.
Arne Werchick, who is the FOLK board secretary, describes the fund’s scholarship donations as “an investment in the future.”
The search for a recipient of the new MLIS scholarship will take place in early 2022. The recipient can be enrolled in a classroom attendance program or a remote learning program, or a combination of the two. The recipient can either be a full or part-time student, but must be enrolled in at least two classes during the academic year.
Arne Werchick practiced law as a civil trial attorney in California for 50 years prior to relocating to Kona with his wife Ruth five years ago. Since then, he has been active in a West Hawaii civic and community organizations as well as donating funds to support the Aloha Theatre and the Aloha Performing Arts Co.