Survey For Librarians of Color

To All Librarians of Color:

Myself (Kawanna Bright) and two of my colleagues, Deborah Lilton with
Vanderbilt University and Pambanisha King with Auburn University, will
be presenting a session at the National Diversity in Libraries
Conference in October 2008, entitled “When Diversity is Too Much: New
Librarians of Color and Expectations for Involvement in Library
Diversity Initiatives”. The focus of this program will be to discuss
diversity initiatives utilized to recruit and retain librarians of color
into academic libraries and how they can sometimes have a negative
impact on the librarians they are designed to support. As part of this
session we will be presenting information from published research, but
the main focus of this session will be to present the results of a
survey of librarians of color and their opinions on how these programs
impacted them.

This is where you come in! If you are a librarian of color who works in
an academic library (or has ever worked in an academic library during
your career) we need you to complete our survey. This is your
opportunity to share your thoughts on the different diversity
initiatives that have been a part of your career, whether it was a
recruitment scholarship to help you earn your degree, a residency
program to launch you into the field, a leadership institute to prepare
you for upward movement, or programs that happened internally in the
libraries that you worked in, including diversity committees, diversity
training programs, or cultural enrichment programs. We would also be
interested in hearing about other experiences that affected you
specifically as a new librarian of color.

The goal of this survey is not to collect information to “bash” these
programs. The researchers agree that on the whole these programs are
positive for the librarians who participate in them as well as the
libraries that host them and the field itself. However, the possible
negative impacts of these programs need to be discussed as well in order
to help programs improve and to better prepare new librarians of color
for careers in academic librarianship.

This survey is completely anonymous – no identifying information will be
collected. We will not be collecting information on specific programs,
and are asking participants to respond with generalities (the survey
instrument reflects this request to not include identifying information).

The survey is available at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=obT9ro6gb8sztIvaWtz4PQ_3d_3d and
takes between 15 and 25 minutes to complete, depending on the number of
experiences that you have had.

Your participation is greatly appreciated. Please also feel free to
share the survey with colleagues that you feel would be interested in
participating. All questions concerning the survey, the presentation or
the project as a whole can be directed to Kawanna Bright,
kmbright@ncsu.edu, Pambanisha King,
kingpam@auburn.edu, or Deborah Lilton,
dlilton@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Kawanna Bright, Pambanisha King, and Deborah Lilton

Diversity Events at ALA

For those heading off to sunny Anaheim, here are some diversity events that you may want to be sure to check out!

• Many Voices, Many Nations Anaheim (Friday 6/27, 5:30 - 9:00 pm; Mariott Anaheim - Marquis Northeast): Registration requested but not required: http://ala.org/annual; $10
• Leaders Wanted: Is an LIS Doctoral Program Right for You? (Saturday 6/28, 9:00 - 11:00 am followed by Options Fair until 5pm; Hyatt Regency Orange County - Grand B and Grand E/F)
• Diversity Currents! Weighing the Balance: Affirmative Action Update (Saturday 6/28, 1:30 - 3:30 pm; Hyatt Regency Orange County, Harbor Room)
• Diversity 101 (Saturday 6/28, 4:00 - 5:30 pm; Hyatt Regency Orange County - Harbor Room)
• Beyond White Privilege 101: Continuing the Discussion (Sunday 6/29, 1:30 - 3:30 pm; Hyatt Regency Orange County - Grand B/C)
• Charting Courses: Diversity Research Grants (Sunday 6/29, 4:00 - 5:30 pm; Disney's Grand Californian - Wisteria Room)

ULS Public Services Librarian Diversity Resident Program, 2008-2010

ULS Public Services Librarian Diversity Resident Program
2008-2010

Overview:

The ULS Public Services Librarian Diversity Resident Program offers post-graduate candidates from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups an opportunity for gaining valuable, “hands-on” experience in a public services position within a large academic research library system. The goal of this two-year program is to increase the number of underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities within academic librarianship by providing the practical experience critical for successful entrance into the profession. Anticipated start date is July 2008.

Qualifications:

To qualify, applicant must be a recent graduate from an ALA-accredited master’s program, possess a strong interest in developing a career in academic librarianship, demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills, demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as in a team, be a member of an underrepresented group (African American, Asian American, Latino/Hispanic American, or Native American), and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Salary and Benefits:

$30,000/year. Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance; TIAA/CREF, Vanguard; and tuition assistance. Financial support is also provided for one professional conference attendance per year.

To Apply:

Interested applicants are asked to submit a resume, the names/numbers of three professional references, and a 1-2 page letter describing their interest and aspirations in academic librarianship, with particular emphasis on public services. Application materials should be addressed to: William Gentz, Head, Library Human Resources, 271 Hillman Library, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.

Application deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

For full information on the program and the environment, visit: http://www.library.pitt.edu/uls/employment/diversityresident.html

The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution

Applications being accepted for the ARL Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce

Applications are now being accepted for the ARL Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce. This program offers a stipend up to $10,000 over a two-year period to attract students from underrepresented groups to careers in research libraries. The initiative also includes an ongoing mentoring program and a leadership institute. Applications and more information are available at http://app.e2ma.net/campaign/f17b08e9124965486f3b5885a87b396d#INIT. The deadline is July 31, 2008.

Job Posting: Program Officer, REACH 21 grant, ALA Office for Diversity, Chicago, IL

Program Officer, REACH 21 grant
Office for Diversity, Chicago, IL

Responsibilities: This position will manage the outreach and support services component of the ALA/IMLS-funded Spectrum Scholarship Program. This is a grant-funded 36-month position based at ALA's Chicago headquarters. Position is responsible for administration of the Spectrum Scholarship Program, ALA’s national diversity and recruitment effort designed to address under-representation of ethnic librarians within the profession while serving as a model for ways to bring attention to larger diversity issues in the future. Additionally this position will support ALA in delivering IMLS grant deliverables by providing active consultation supporting the retention goals of similar library diversity initiatives; and creating processes and methods to improve collaboration among organizations recruiting for LIS positions, graduate LIS institutions and programs, and individual stakeholders to build capacity around the issue of diversity. This position is funded by the REACH 21 grant, funding may not be available after 2011. Will develop an outreach plan, communication vehicles and tools to build a nationwide network of partners in the recruitment and retention of a diverse library workforce. Will organize trainings at national and regional conferences. Will be responsible for scholarship administration including processing scholarship applications and payments, communicating scholarship qualifications and eligibility criteria to students, ensuring scholarship award guidelines are adhered to, providing ongoing support and communication for scholarship recipients, and assisting in grant and financial reporting.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree required. Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library and information science program preferred. Excellent communication skills (oral, written, electronic) and project development and management experience are required. Candidates possessing backgrounds in marketing or outreach and awareness of issues related to diversity, especially in regards to LIS professional recruitment are strongly preferred. Knowledge of web content development and publishing and social networking technologies and usage, and experience managing design and print production vendor teams desired. Not-for-profit and event planning background also a plus. Familiarity with a variety of the budget concepts, practices, and procedures preferred. Public speaking and travel required. Resume submissions should be accompanied by two writing samples.

Salary Range: from $40,000 Grade Level: E
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Date Posted: 04/04/08 Date Closed:

Applicants may forward resumes via fax at 312.280-5270 or email Mary Pullen at mpullen@ala.org.

Post-MLS Residency Position: Pauline A. Young Residency, University of Delaware

Position: Pauline A. Young Residency

Description: This two-year residency offers recent MLS graduates a breadth of professional experience in a technology-rich, academic research library setting. The Residency is designed to meet both the professional goals and interests of the Resident as well as the service and operational priorities of the Library. In the first year of the program the Resident works with librarians in several key areas of the Library, gaining broadly based experience. First-year assignments may include assisting with reference services and instruction; working with multimedia services; expanding access to electronic resources; processing collections; and organization and staff development activities. In the second year the Resident selects an area of responsibility that builds on this foundation and furthers his or her specific professional goals. The purpose of the Residency is to increase the diversity of professional staff at the University of Delaware and to encourage the involvement of under-represented racial and ethnic minorities in academic librarianship. The Residency forms one part of the Library's affirmative action plan and reflects the University of Delaware's strong commitment to affirmative action. More information about the Residency program is available online at: http://www2.lib.udel.edu/personnel/brochure.htm.

Qualifications: The University of Delaware Library seeks energetic, self-directed individuals interested in developing a career in academic research librarianship. To qualify, applicants must have a recent graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program, demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills, demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with colleagues and library users from diverse backgrounds. A willingness to learn and a desire for professional growth is essential. Members of under-represented racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.

Environment: Serving 20,000 students, the University of Delaware provides a broad range of academic programs at the undergraduate, master, and doctoral levels. The University of Delaware has a beautiful campus located one hour from Philadelphia and two hours from New York and Washington, DC. The Library makes accessible a broad range of electronic resources, including more than 40,000 electronic journals and newspapers via the Library web pages, 230 databases, and over 16,000 videos. Library collections include 2.7 million volumes. The Library has 200 public access workstations, 200 laptop connections, wireless access, and a state of the art Student Multimedia Design Center. The Library is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Center for Research Libraries, the Chesapeake Information and Research Library Alliance, and PALINET. More information about the Library is available at http://www.lib.udel.edu/

Salary: Appointment at the Assistant Librarian level. Minimum $43,600.

Benefits: Excellent benefits with vacation of 22 working days. TIAA-CREF or Fidelity retirement with 11% of salary contributed by the University. Tuition remission for dependents and course fee waiver for employee. Full information about University of Delaware benefits is available at http://www.udel.edu/Benefits/menu/. The Library also provides mentoring opportunities along with travel support for professional development and participation in a national library association.

To Apply: Send letter of application that addresses your interest in a residency experience and a career in academic librarianship, a current resume, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references to Julie Brewer, Coordinator, Personnel & Staff Development, University of Delaware Library, Newark, DE 19717-5267 or e-mail to http://us.mc503.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=LibraryEmployment@winsor.lib.udel.edu by May 16, 2008.

The University of Delaware is an equal opportunity employer which encourages applications from minority groups and women.

University Libraries of Notre Dame Seeks 1 Resident

University of Notre Dame Libraries Librarian-in-Residence Program

The Hesburgh Libraries and Law Library of Notre Dame seek applicants who will contribute effectively to the diversity of the profession and the University. Applicants from racial and ethnic minorities are particularly encouraged to apply. The Librarian-in-Residence Program offers recent library school graduates the opportunity to experience various aspects of academic librarianship. In the first year of the two-year program, the successful candidate will gain experience within at least three areas, including legal research and emerging technologies. The second year will be predicated on the interests of the Librarian-in-Residence as well as the needs of the Libraries. Candidates who demonstrate flexibility in professional interests and could advance the Libraries' strategic goals are highly desired. (See these strategic goals at: http://www.nd.edu/~adminoff/strategic/StratPlan04.pdf.) Opportunities will be afforded for the resident to make contributions to the profession through conference participation, scholarship, committee assignments, and specialized training. The Librarian-in-Residence also will be eligible to apply for positions available in the Hesburgh Libraries.

The libraries have one opening for a two-year post-graduate appointment beginning 1 July 2008. The appointee will report administratively to Laura Bayard, Librarian.

Environment: The University of Notre Dame is a highly selective national Catholic teaching and research university located in northern Indiana about ninety miles from Chicago. Approximately 8,200 undergraduates and 3,100 graduate students pursue a broad range of studies. The Hesburgh Libraries hold about 3 million volumes and provide access to more than 23,000 serials. The Libraries have 140 staff and 55 librarians. The Libraries are a member of the Academic Libraries of Indiana (ALI), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), INCOLSA, the Michiana Academic Library Consortium (MALC), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), and the North East Research Libraries (NERL).

Qualifications: Recent degree from an ALA-accredited library school. Evidence of critical thinking and excellent oral and written communication skills are required.

Compensation: The Librarian-in-Residence will be appointed as visiting faculty at the rank of assistant librarian with a minimum salary of $40,000. A benefits package including paid holidays and 20 vacation days will be offered.

Application Procedures: Interested candidates must submit a curriculum vitae, the names of three references, a letter of application that includes statements about 1) expectations of benefit from the program, 2) value of diversity in libraries, 3) specific academic library areas of interest, and 4) where this ad was seen. Electronic submission of application documents is strongly encouraged. Please send application materials to:

Laura Bayard at bayard.1@nd.edu
Chair, Diversity Committee
221 Hesburgh Library
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN, 46556-5629

Applications will be considered beginning 22 April and will be accepted until the position is filled. The University of Notre Dame is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer strongly committed to diversity. We value qualified candidates who can bring to our community a variety of backgrounds.