Call for applications, ARL/Society of American Archivists Mosaic Program

Posted July 19, 2013

ARL and the Society of American Archivists (SAA) are now accepting applications for the first cohort of the ARL/SAA Mosaic Program. This program promotes much-needed diversification of the archives and special collections professional workforce by providing financial support, practical work experience, mentoring, career placement assistance, and leadership development to emerging professionals from underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups. An important objective of the program is to attract and retain 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, funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, offers a generous compensation package for each program participant consisting of:

• Tuition stipend of up to $10,000 to be distributed over two years. Stipends are distributed in installments of $2,500 per semester.
• Paid internship in a partner ARL library or archives organization.
• Mentoring from an archives professional or special collections librarian.
• Student membership in SAA.
• Support for travel to and attendance at the annual SAA Mosaic Leadership Symposium and SAA Annual Meeting during the participant’s scholarship year.

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 an ALA-accredited program in archival science, archival management, digital archives, special collections, or a related program.
• Remain enrolled in at least 6 graduate credit hours per term through completion of the designated graduate programs and have at least one full academic year remaining in studies.
• Maintain a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4-point scale) and submit transcripts as evidence of progression towards completion of graduate studies in the targeted areas.
• Commit to aggressively pursuing employment in an ARL member institution with the goal of obtaining a position for a minimum of two years upon completion of graduate studies.

More Information & Applications

For additional information about the program and to apply, visit the ARL/SAA Mosaic Program website. The completed online application form, attachments, and all supporting documentation should be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Friday, August 23, 2013.