SILS graduate student, Brian D. Leaf, is one of 17 fellows selected to participate in the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) 2010 Career Enhancement Program.
The ARL Career Enhancement Program, funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services and ARL member libraries, gives MLIS students from underrepresented groups an opportunity to jump-start their careers in research libraries by providing a robust fellowship experience that includes an internship in an ARL member library. This program 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 on global perspectives in the academy.
"While I don't know where I'll end up in a couple years, it's an honor to at least be recognized for having a vision of diversity and hope in our field," said Leaf. "It was also great to meet like-minded people in Boston. With every opportunity, whether it's an assistantship, a fellowship or even just a class, one finds himself (or herself) with a decision to walk through a door. I won't fail to take advantage of the experiences this award affords me over the summer working at an ARL library."
The Career Enhancement Program has four main components: a six- to twelve-week internship experience in an ARL library, mentoring by a professional librarian at the host institution, participation in the ARL Leadership Symposium, and career placement assistance. The host institutions for the internships are:
- University of Arizona
- University of California, San Diego
- Columbia University
- University of Kentucky
- National Library of Medicine
- North Carolina State University
- University of Washington
Leaf will be completing his fellowship at the University of Kentucky, Lexington.
Photo by L. Barry Hetherington
