Librarian-In-Residence Program

History

In 2003, a library task force was created to draft a proposal for a new Librarian-In-Residence Program at the U of A Libraries. The Task Force based its proposal on the Pauline A. Young Residency Program at the University of Delaware. The purpose of the U of A program is to increase the diversity of professional staff at the University Libraries and to encourage the involvement of underrepresented groups in academic librarianship. This purpose is congruent with and in fulfillment of the university's third objective of the Diversity Plan for the University of Arkansas: Create a U of A community that includes members of diverse groups. University goals include increasing student enrollments; strengthening academic quality and reputation, especially through the Honors College and Graduate School; and enhancing diversity among the faculty, students, and staff.

In concert with these goals and in this growth environment, the Libraries have identified strategic initiatives to meet increasing expectations of students and faculty, including the establishment of this position. The University Libraries hold 2 million volumes to support the learning, teaching, and research needs of those at Arkansas' only major research university. The Libraries participate in the Greater Western Library Alliance, the Center for Research Libraries, the Coalition for Networked Information, Amigos Library Services, and OCLC. Library personnel (FTE) include 38 library faculty, 75 professional and support staff, 7 library graduate assistants, and roughly 100 hourly and work study employees.

In 2007, the Libraries activated the Program and began recruiting for its first Librarian-In-Residence/Visiting Assistant Professor.

Program Description

The University of Arkansas (UA) Libraries Residency Program offers an entry-level librarian a broad-based opportunity to begin an exciting career in academic librarianship. In supporting the Libraries' and the university's commitment to achieving a culturally diverse faculty, the Resident will, over a two-year period (third year optional), experience a minimum of three areas of librarianship and develop a specialization. The holistic and personalized nature of the program, the dynamic and highly automated environment of the University of Arkansas Libraries, and other perquisites, such as an allowance for professional travel and assigned time for scholarship, will give the Resident a competitive advantage in the search for a successive professional position.

In the first year, the Resident will serve in three or four functional areas throughout the year, determined mutually by the Resident's interests and the needs of the Libraries. In the second year, the resident will begin to specialize by contributing to two functional areas of his or her choosing, attend and become engaged in professional committees and organizations, and begin to formulate the basis for a capstone project. In the optional third and final year, the Resident will continue to specialize in one area of librarianship and will complete a capstone project, preferably suitable for publication, which incorporates the expertise and perspectives gained during the residency.

Features

Duration

Twelve-month appointment renewable for three years.

Structure

Eligibility

Recent graduate of an ALA-accredited master's degree program in library and information science; strong interest in academic librarianship; commitment to service; excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication, and presentation skills; ability to be flexible and motivated in the face of changing work assignments, projects, and departments; demonstrated commitment to diversity. Fluency in a second language.

Residents