PITTSBURGH-E. J. Josey, emeritus professor of Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Information Sciences, will receive the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree from Clarion University at its Winter 2001 Commencement, Saturday, Dec. 15.

Josey joined the University of Pittsburgh in 1986 and taught the initial course in Libraries in Society for the Department of Library and Information Science. He retired from the University in 1995.

Josey earned the A.B. degree in history from Howard University, the Master of Arts degree in history from Columbia University, and the Master of Science degree in Library Science from the State University of New York at Albany. He also has had four other honorary degrees conferred upon him, as well as numerous professional, academic, and community honors. He was president of the American Library Association in 1984-85 and was a member of its Council for 30 years. He received ALA's most coveted award, the Joseph W. Lippincott Award.

Prior to joining Pitt, Josey had been with the New York State education department in its Division of Library Development, when he was first appointed as an associate in the Bureau of Academic and Research Libraries in 1966. He was promoted to chief, Bureau of Academic and Research Libraries in 1968, and held that position until 1976, when he was named chief, Bureau of Specialist Library Services, New York State Library. Prior to joining New York State, Josey served as director of two college libraries.

A prolific speaker and writer, Josey has authored more than 400 articles, and he has written or edited 12 books on library and information science. Among them is the Handbook of Black Librarianship, 2nd Edition, July 12, 2001, Scarecrow Press, co-edited by Marva L. Deloach.

Upon his retirement from Pitt, a scholarship was created in his honor. The E. J. Josey Endowment Scholarship for Minorities is awarded annually to an enrolled African American graduate student in the Department of Library and Information Science who demonstrates potential for academic excellence and leadership in the profession. The Black Caucus of the American Library Association established its first independent scholarship in his honor. The E. J. Josey Scholarship Award is given annually to an African American of the United States or Canada pursuing a degree in an American Library Association accredited Library and Information Science program in either of those two countries.