Fellowship Experience & Overview

As an ARL Career Enhancement Program Fellow, you will have a unique opportunity to create a meaningful, practical experience in an ARL library. Each fellow will be matched with a host institution—based on interest and availability—that can best provide a rich and rewarding internship experience.

In the Career Enhancement Program, each fellow will experience:

• a six to twelve-week paid internship in an ARL library;

• an opportunity to work with other LIS graduate students in a cohort environment (up to two fellows assigned to the same institution);

• the potential for academic credit for the practical experience (fellow is responsible for arranging this program component with their home institution);

• a mentoring relationship with a professional librarian while on campus for the internship (see Mentoring Relationship); and

• an opportunity to attend the annual ARL Leadership Symposium (held during the ALA Midwinter Meeting).

Fellowship Compensation

The ARL Career Enhancement Program will provide each fellow with a rewarding compensation package. The total compensation package exceeds $5,000 per fellow and includes:

• a stipend for internship work of up to $4,800 (240 hours x $20 per hour), and;
• financial support for travel and accommodations to attend the annual ARL Leadership Symposium in January (estimated value $1,400).

Leadership Symposium

The next annual ARL Leadership Symposium will be held January 19 - 22, 2012, in Dallas, TX. During the Leadership Symposium, each fellow will:

• have an opportunity to learn about macro-level issues facing research libraries;

• connect with other Diversity Program participants including MLIS students in the ARL Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce;

• participate in ARL career networking opportunities:

  • reception honoring fellows and ARL Diversity Scholars
  • lunch with ARL directors
  • events with ARL HR representatives and professional staff