Signature ARL libraries will have greater opportunities to hire talented librarians from underrepresented groups and to help mentor these librarians as they enter the research library profession. Most importantly, signature institutions play a major part in attracting more librarians from underrepresented groups into careers in ARL member libraries. Each year, talented minority librarians choose positions in public and special libraries and other new opportunities in the information field rather than careers in research libraries. Many of these graduates would find fulfilling careers in research libraries if ARL libraries could attract their attention at the beginning of their graduate studies. ARL, to foster a relationship between signature institutions and stipend recipients, maintains a database of position openings in ARL libraries as well as facilitate the pairing of stipend recipients with applicable job opportunities.
Signature libraries may also encourage current non-librarian staff members to apply for these stipends. Many ARL member libraries employ people of color who are interested in attending library school and who could be mentored into the profession. Non-librarian staff currently employed at signature institutions will, through the Initiative, be mentored by key library leaders during their library education process and have access to professional development opportunities. Current staff, after academic preparation and a national leadership development program, will have invaluable experiences to contribute to their workplace upon completion of this program.
