Titus Moolathara, a 2009 graduate of Drexel University College of Computing & Informatics’
master of science in library and information science (MSLIS) program, was recently recognized as one of
Library Journal’s 2016 “Movers and Shakers."
The editors of
Library Journal selected Moolathara as one of over
50 up-and-coming individuals from around the world who are recognized by their peers as innovative, creative and making a difference.
Moolathara joins the ranks of 15 CCI alumni to receive this honor, including:
Taneya Gethers, ’07,
Alison Macrina, ’09,
Steven J. Bell, ’78,
Joan Bernstein, ‘74,
Brett Bonfield, ’07,
Vibiana Bowman, ’81,
Nicole Engard, ’07,
Adam Feldman, ’10
,
Perry Genovesi, ’10,
John Hubbard, ’00,
Laverne Mann, ’05,
Alison Miller, ’08,
Eric Lease Morgan, ‘87,
John D. Shank, ’00, and
Genie Tyburski, ’85.
Moolathara was recognized in the
Advocates category for his work in developing a pilot library program for inmates to improve their reading levels and reduce verbal and physical incidents. The program was initiated at Philadelphia’s Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, a men’s prison that did not have a library. During the first three months with no budget, 100 inmates had access to 600 books and had visited the library 360 times. After the pilot's positive outcome, the Philadelphia Prison System approved the expansion to seven sites and one in a women’s prison.
Moolathara’s idea won an Institute of Museum and Library Services
Sparks! Ignition grant through the Free Library of Philadelphia, where he works as a librarian.
Learn more about Moolathara’s work on the
Free Library of Philadelphia’s website.