The application deadline for the ARL Career Enhancement Program has been extended to Monday, November 17, 2014. Master of library and information science (MLIS) students from racial and ethnic minority groups, who have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credit hours (or will complete 12 hours by the scheduled internship) in an American Library Association (ALA)–accredited program, are encouraged to apply for this enriching experience.
The ARL Career Enhancement Program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and ARL member libraries, provides each fellow a rewarding compensation package with a potential value in excess of $10,000 per person.
Program Components
The ARL Career Enhancement Program has three main components:
Paid Internship
Each fellow will have a unique opportunity to work in an ARL member research library for 6–12 weeks to gain both educational and professional experience while enrolled in an MLIS program. Fellows will be assembled in groups of two or three to create a fellowship cohort at each host institution.
Leadership Development
The fellows will participate in the annual ARL Leadership Symposium held January 29–February 1, 2015, during the ALA Midwinter Meeting. During the symposium, the fellows will explore the major strategic issues facing research libraries today and discuss appropriate strategies for securing a professional position in research libraries upon graduation. The fellows will have an opportunity to meet and network with other ARL diversity programs participants, library leaders, and other MLIS students who attend the annual event.
Career Placement
ARL staff will work with each fellow to help them connect with member libraries and to assist with networking during the job search process.
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants for the ARL Career Enhancement Program must:
- Be accepted into an ALA-accredited library and information science program
- Be a member of a racial/ethnic minority group as described by the US Census Bureau or Statistics Canada
- Complete a minimum of 12 graduate-level credits in library and information science prior to beginning the internship
Selection and Institutional Match
The ARL Career Enhancement Program has a unique process for selecting and matching fellows with host institutions. Each host designates a staff member to serve on the coordinating committee. The committee will evaluate the entire applicant pool, select participants, and then enter into dialogue with other coordinators about the institution that is best positioned to create a rewarding internship experience for each fellow. The assignments will be based on the fellows' skills, knowledge, and expectations for the internships, as well as the institutions' ability to create and manage a meaningful experience.
Applications
Applications are being accepted until 11:59 p.m. eastern standard time on Monday, November 17, 2014, and should be submitted online.
For more information about the program, the application process, timelines, and host institutions, visit the ARL Career Enhancement Program website - http://www.arl.org/leadership-recruitment/diversity-recruitment/career-enhancement-program/2508-application-process#.VFkHevnF9wE
As always, let me know if you have any questions.
Mark
Mark A. Puente
Director of Diversity and Leadership Programs
Association of Research Libraries
21 Dupont Circle, NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
(202)296-2296
mpuente@arl.org
http://www.arl.org/diversity/
http://www.arl.org/leadership/