Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce Call for Applications

Association of Research Libraries
http://www.arl.org/news/pr/irdw-15june09.shtml
Press Releases & Announcements
Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce Call for Applications--Deadline August 31

For immediate release:
June 15, 2009

For more information, contact:
Mark A. Puente
Association of Research Libraries
202-296-2296
mpuente@arl.org

Download a PDF of this release
Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce Call for Applications
Deadline August 31

Washington DC—The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is accepting applications for the Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (IRDW), a program designed to recruit LIS graduate students from traditionally underrepresented ethnic and racial backgrounds into careers in research libraries. The IRDW includes a stipend up to $10,000 over two years, leadership and career development training, and a formal mentorship program.

The IRDW is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and ARL member libraries. This initiative reflects the commitment of ARL members to create a diverse research library community 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

*

Attracting LIS graduate students from underrepresented groups to careers in research libraries, especially students with an educational background in applied and natural sciences or information technology*
*

Strengthening participants’ leadership skills via a Leadership Institute held in conjunction with the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting
*

Developing a network of mentors who will guide and nurture the career development of the participants

* Candidates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply. Those without academic training in natural/applied sciences or information technology/computer science will be required to complete coursework that will better prepare the candidate to work in science librarianship or information technology.

Applications

Successful applicants will meet the following criteria:

1.

Member of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group (Note: Racial and ethnic group membership is based on the categories outlined in the US Census. Racially and ethnically underrepresented groups include: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino.)
2.

Acceptance into an ALA-accredited LIS graduate program
3.

Interest in pursuing a career in a research library

All applicants are required to submit the following materials by Monday, August 31, 2009:

*

Applicant summary sheet
*

Résumé
*

A 350-word essay describing what attracts you to a professional position in an ARL 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 school

For more details about the application process, see the complete Call for Applications http://www.arl.org/diversity/init/call.shtml.

For more information about the program, see the IRDW Web site http://www.arl.org/diversity/init/.

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 123 research libraries in North America. Its mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the Web at http://www.arl.org/.