The Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) is pleased to announce the 2016-
2017 year of the leadership program jointly sponsored by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and AAHSL. In response to the confirmed need for future leadership, the NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellows
Program is focused on preparing emerging leaders for the position of library director in academic health sciences libraries. Fellows will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in a variety of
learning settings, including exposure to leadership in another environment. They will be paired with mentors who are academic health sciences library directors. In addition to the individual
relationship with their mentors, fellows benefit from working collaboratively with other fellows and mentors. Experienced program faculty and mentors will provide content and facilitation for the
cohort. The program takes advantage of flexible scheduling and an online learning community to minimize disruption to professional and personal schedules. The sponsors, NLM and AAHSL, will povide
financial support for a small cohort of fellows and will underwrite travel and meeting expenses.
The one-year program design is multi-faceted: three in-person leadership institutes; attendance at an Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) annual meeting; a yearlong fellow/ mentor
relationship; webinars and discussions on issues related to library leadership; and two weeks total on site at the mentor’s home library. The program is designed to:
• Introduce fellows to leadership theory and practical tools for implementing change at organizational and professional levels;
• Introduce fellows to critical issues facing academic health sciences libraries;
• Prepare fellows to interview successfully for director level positions in academic health centers;
• Develop meaningful professional relationships between fellows and mentors that give fellows access to
career guidance and support;
• Expose fellows to another academic health sciences library and its institutional leadership under the
guidance of their mentors;
• Examine career development and provide models of directors to fellows;
• Create a cohort of leaders who will draw upon each other for support throughout their careers;
• Promote diversity in the leadership of the profession;
• Offer recognition to emerging leaders and enhance the competitive standing of fellows as they pursue director positions.
The NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program is designed for librarians with prior management
experience; in most cases, a minimum of five years is the baseline for candidates to be given
consideration. Applicants should have strong interest in pursuing a directorship in academic health
sciences libraries, regardless of type of library background or current setting. They should also have a
demonstrated record of leadership initiative and strong potential for future leadership contributions.An
MLS or comparable graduate degree is required. Applications are welcomed from professionals working
in academic health sciences libraries, hospital libraries, or other library or library-related environments.
U.S. and Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for the program. Applicationsfrom
qualified minority candidates are encouraged. A small cohort of fellows will be selected.
Prospective applicants who do not yet meet these requirements may benefit from taking part in other
AAHSL leadership programs (including a short course or scholarships to pursue leadershiptraining
opportunities) prior to applying for fellow. Information about these options is available at
www.aahsl.org.
Potential fellows should submit applications electronically to AAHSL by July 22, 2016,
to office@aahsl.org. Apply at http://www.aahsl.org/assets/documents/2016/2016_nlm_leadership_fellows_program_brochure_application.pdf
AAHSL will acknowledge receipt of applications and prepare them for review by the AAHSL Future
Leadership Committee. Please contact Carol Jenkins at carol_jenkins@unc.edu if acknowledgement is
not received.