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Call for Volunteers: ARL/SAA Mosaic Program Advisory Group and Mosaic Program Selection Committee

The Society of American Archivists and the Association of Research Libraries have been awarded a three-year, $487,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to develop a diversity recruitment program extending SAA’s Mosaic Scholarship program.  The two organizations will collaborate to provide 15 master’s students in archival science or special collections librarianship with financial support, paid internships in libraries and archives, mentoring relationships, leadership development, and career placement assistance.  Read more here.    

Although the program is, at its core, a diversity recruitment program, its comprehensive design aims to: prepare the next generation of archivists and special collections librarians to succeed in the digital age; produce archives and library professionals who are prepared to advocate for the diverse collections and communities served by the profession; and encourage Mosaic Scholars to consider, prepare for, and pursue leadership positions within archives and special collections.

SAA Vice President/President-Elect Danna Bell-Russel seeks volunteers for five positions on the Mosaic Program Advisory Group and three positions on the Mosaic Program Selection Committee.  Two additional positions on the Selection Committee will be appointed by ARL.  One member of the Advisory Group will serve as chair of the Selection Committee.

If you’re interested in serving, include in an email message directed to saahq@archivists.org your full name, title, institution, and experience within SAA and the profession, along with a brief statement of interest and qualifications (specifically related to your background/expertise or particular interest in diversity issues).  Please use one of these two subject lines, depending on the group for which you’re applying:  Mosaic Program Advisory Group (Your Last Name) OR Mosaic Program Selection Committee (Your Last Name).  Deadline:  Monday, June 24.

Mosaic Program Advisory Group

I. Purpose

The Mosaic Program Advisory Group provides ongoing support for the Association of Research Libraries/Society of American Archivists Mosaic Program, which provides financial support, practical work experience, mentoring, career placement assistance, and leadership development to individuals who are from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups. The Mosaic Program work is funded by a three-year, $487,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

II. Task Force Selection, Size, and Length of Term

Following an open call for participation, the SAA Vice President/President-Elect will appoint five SAA members of varying levels of experience within the profession. One of those individuals will serve as the chair of the Advisory Group.  Another of those individuals will serve as the chair of the Mosaic Program Selection Committee.  All appointments are effective from July 1, 2013, to May 31, 2016.

III. Reporting Procedures

The Advisory Group will submit periodic reports to the Project Director on a schedule that ensures that all IMLS grant reporting requirements are fulfilled.

IV. Duties and Responsibilities

Advisory Group members will contribute their time and perform all functions as extra-professional activities.

The Advisory Group will:

  • Establish the selection criteria for Mosaic Scholars, within the parameters outlined in the grant application.

  • Provide input on drafts of calls for applicants, marketing materials, and mentor training materials (e.g., webinars).

  • Work with the site coordinator from each partner institution to recruit on-site internship supervisors.

  • Work with the site coordinator from each partner institution to recruit on-site mentors.

  • In consultation with the SAA Executive Director, the SAA Program Coordinator, and the Project Director, develop the curriculum for the annual Mosaic Program Leadership Symposium to be held in conjunction with the SAA Annual Meeting.

  • Work with the Project Director and assigned staff to establish a “career placement service” that will, with the cooperation of mentors, develop programs and services to facilitate effective transitions into the professional workforce for all program participants.

  • Work with the Project Director and Program Coordinator to develop and monitor outcomes-based assessment of the program.

V. Meetings

The Advisory Group will accomplish its work primarily via email, conference call, and/or other electronic means and may meet in conjunction with the SAA Annual Meeting (although funding is not provided for a face-to-face meeting).

 

Mosaic Program Selection Committee

I. Purpose

The Mosaic Program Selection Committee is responsible for reviewing applications and selecting each cohort of Mosaic Scholars (five individuals in each of three years).

II. Selection, Size, and Length of Term

The Selection Committee comprises five individuals. Following an open call for participation, the SAA Vice President/President-Elect will appoint to the Committee three SAA members of varying levels of experience within the profession.  The Association of Research Libraries will appoint two individuals to the Committee.  The chair of the Selection Committee will also serve as a member of the Mosaic Program Advisory Group. All appointments are effective from July 1, 2013, through May 31, 2016.

III. Reporting Procedures

The Selection Committee will submit periodic reports to the Mosaic Program Advisory Group and Project Director on a schedule that ensures that applicants receive prompt notification and all grant reporting requirements are fulfilled.

IV. Duties and Responsibilities

Selection Committee members will contribute their time and perform all functions as extra-professional activities.

The Selection Committee will:

  • Review the applications received in response to the call for applicants issued for each cohort (2013, 2014, and 2015) based on selection criteria established by the Mosaic Program Advisory Group within the parameters outlined in the grant application.

  • Provide timely reports of its decisions to ensure that all applicants receive prompt notification.

V. Meetings

The Selection Committee will accomplish its work via email, conference call, and/or other electronic means.
Updated: 2013-06-04

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