ARL Call for LIS Minority Students

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ARL Call for LIS Minority Students

By: Emily Agunod, Secretary, SJSU ASIS&T

Hi, I’m your ASIS&T Student Chapter Secretary and I was chosen as one of the Career Enhancement Fellows by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). As a CEP Fellow, I will be working with a mentor at the National Library of Medicine this summer in a paid internship with housing allowance.

As a minority, I invite those of you from underrepresented groups to explore the scholarship opportunities offered by the ARL. The ARL recognizes the importance of having a rich cultural environment in libraries to support the diversity of library users. ARL also wants to motivate LIS professionals from minority groups to aspire for leadership positions in the field. So every year, it launches its program called “Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce.” It has five components:

Last January, I was an attendee at the ARL Leadership Symposium in Chicago. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. About 30 people attended this invitation-only event, which was especially exciting for me to have face-to-face interaction with like-minded people since I am an online student.

I can’t put a value on the information that was given to us during that symposium. Mark Puente, the director of ARL Diversity and Leadership Program, was the charming moderator and he was really good at making us feel at ease. As a cohort, we had a chance to get know each other through fun exercises and we were able to discuss the challenges we face as minorities. The symposium gave us a safe and secure environment to address these issues.

The organizers of this event put special attention to include a broad spectrum of topics for the sessions. Leaders from different areas of the library and information field spoke on different topics such as: value of libraries, the scholarly communication ecosystem, the relationship of libraries and learning and the community, open access and open education, and the future of digital archives and software development. I especially liked the leadership exercises based on Tom Rath’s book Strengthfinder. I highly recommend this book because instead of focusing on what your weakness is, it focuses on your strengths and how to pair with people who can augment your limitations.

The guests were more than eager to share advice and answer questions. The generous librarians from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) hosted a cocktail party where we had a chance to talk to them and ask for advice. We also had lunch with librarians who were going to be our mentors at our internship sites and shared a few meals with librarians who were visiting from the ALA Midwinter Meeting. We each had a résumé consultation with a practicing librarian. Our closing event was a dinner with more librarians, directors, and other information professionals who were more than willing to give guidance and suggestions, giving us the opportunity to have face time and hand out and receive business cards. How often do we have a chance to do that?

If you have never considered applying for a scholarship this is the time. I wish I knew about these opportunities earlier in the program. The IRDW program helps with $10,000 over two years and also pairs you with a mentor and support as you begin your career. I’ve met many of the IRDW scholars during the symposium and they are very happy with the program. But do it soon because the deadline is fast-approaching!

All expenses were covered (hotel, airfare, food) but the event’s true worth was being able to network with professionals in the field. Please see the news announcement below and turn in your applications. Good luck!

Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce Call for Applications—Deadline May 13, 2015

by Mark A. Puente | 202-296-2296 | mpuente@arl.org | on April 01, 2015

ARL Chicago meeting january 2015

ARL IRDW Diversity Scholars,  January 2015. Photo by Lorenzo De Gregorio.

ARL is accepting applications for the Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (IRDW), a program designed to recruit master of library and information science (MLIS) students from traditionally underrepresented ethnic and racial minority groups into careers in research libraries and archives. The IRDW includes a stipend in support of MLIS education of up to $10,000 over two years, leadership and career development training, a site visit to the Michigan State University Libraries, financial support for skills development, and a formal mentorship program.

The IRDW is funded by ARL member libraries. This program reflects the commitment of ARL members to create a diverse research library workforce that will better meet the challenges of changing demographics in higher education and the emphasis of global perspectives in the academy.

Program Goal and Objectives

The ARL Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce seeks to:

  • Attract MLIS students from underrepresented groups to careers in research libraries and archives
  • Strengthen participants’ leadership and job searching skills via a Leadership Symposium held during the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting
  • Develop a network of peers and mentors who will guide and nurture the career development of the participants

Candidates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Criteria

Successful applicants will meet the following criteria:

  • Identify as an underrepresented racial or ethnic minority, based on the categories outlined by the US Census Bureau or Statistics Canada
  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of the US, Canada, or Puerto Rico
  • Be accepted into an ALA-accredited MLIS program
  • Have a strong interest in pursuing a career in a research library or archive

To Apply

All applicants are required to submit the following materials by 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on Wednesday, May 13, 2015:

  • Online application form
  • Résumé
  • A 400-word (maximum) essay describing what attracts you to a career in a research library
  • Two letters of reference
  • Official undergraduate and graduate school transcripts including your last academic semester completed
  • Copy of an official letter of acceptance from an ALA-accredited library/information science program

For more information about the program, visit the Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (IRDW) website.

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