The ARL Career Enhancement Program was created to provide master of library and information science (MLIS) students from racial and ethnic minority groups with an opportunity to jump-start their careers in research libraries by providing practical work experience. All applicants must possess the following qualifications:
- be accepted into an ALA–accredited library school program
- be a member of a racial/ethnic minority group as described by the US Census Bureau:
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Asian
- Black or African American
- Hispanic or Latino
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
- have completed a minimum of 12 graduate-level credits in library and information science prior to engaging in the internship