ARL/SAA Mosaic Program Call for Applications 2016-2017

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Society of American Archivists (SAA) are now accepting applications for the 2016–2017 cohort of the ARL/SAA Mosaic Program. This program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), ARL, and SAA, promotes much-needed diversification of the archives and special collections professional workforce by providing support for master of library and information science (MLIS) students from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups who are pursuing degrees with a concentration in archives or special collections librarianship.

Components of the ARL/SAA Mosaic Program include a robust internship experience, mentoring, career placement assistance, and leadership development. The program seeks to attract individuals who demonstrate excellent potential for scholastic and personal achievement and who manifest a commitment both to the archives and special collections profession and to advancing diversity concerns within it.

Program Benefits

The ARL/SAA Mosaic Program offers a generous compensation package for each program participant consisting of:

• Tuition stipend of up to $5,000 distributed in two equal installments of $2,500 per semester;
• Paid internship in a partner archives or library organization beginning in early fall 2016;
• Mentoring from an archives professional or special collections librarian;
• Financial assistance of up to $1,000 for relocation to the area of the MLIS program that the participant will attend;
• Student membership in SAA for one year;
• Support for travel to and participation in the annual ARL/SAA Mosaic Leadership Forum and SAA Annual Meeting in August 2016; and
• Support for travel to and participation in the ARL Annual Leadership Symposium, held in conjunction with the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting in January 2017.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the ARL/SAA Mosaic Program, you must:

• Identify with a racial/ethnic minority group as described by the US Census Bureau or Statistics Canada;
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or Canada;
• Be accepted into a master’s program in archival science, archival management, digital archives, special collections, or a related program;
• Remain enrolled in at least six graduate credit hours per term through completion of the designated graduate programs and have at least one full academic year remaining in studies; and
• Maintain a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4-point scale) each term and submit transcripts as evidence of progression towards completion of graduate studies in the targeted areas.

More Information and Application

For additional information about the program and to apply, please visit the ARL/SAA Mosaic Program webpage. The completed online application form and attachments, as well as both letters of recommendation, must be submitted to ARL by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.