2023 Librarians-in-Residence Program at the Library of Congress – applications open Jan. 20, 2023

Posted January 7, 2023

In support of your commitment to develop the next generation of librarians and information professionals, I write to promote the sixth year of an exciting program—the 2023 Librarians-in-Residence Program at the Library of Congress. The program gives early-career librarians the opportunity to gain meaningful work experience in at least one of the following general areas of specialization: Archives and Special Collections; Cataloging and Metadata; Collection Preservation; Community Engagement; Digital Services; Reference and Instruction; and Systems and Standards.

Librarians-in-Residence will receive professional development by undertaking assignments that contribute to the ongoing mission and work of the Library. In addition, they will participate in enrichment activities and receive mentoring from seasoned Library professionals. As they become acquainted with the Library of Congress and its strategic goals, the Residents will come to understand the role of the world’s largest library and its significance to Congress, the American people, and researchers from across the world.

Since the inception of the program, the Library has welcomed library school graduates from coast to coast, including The Catholic University of America, Kent State University, Pratt Institute, Queens College of CUNY, Simmons University, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Iowa, University of Kentucky, University of Maryland at College Park, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of South Carolina, University of Toronto, University of Washington at Seattle, and University of Wisconsin at Madison.

I am looking for newly graduated librarians and information professionals to bring their intellectual engagement, technological prowess, and theoretical knowledge of library and information science to bear on practical challenges. Selectees will be offered an initial six-month, temporary appointment at the GS-9 pay level. The program is open to students who have earned or will complete their master’s degree at an American Library Association-accredited program between December 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023.

How to Apply

Each candidate’s application package will include a federal style résumé, official transcript, statement of professional interest, and the names of three references. The three references must be: 1) the dean or director of their school; 2) a professor in their school or a supervisor in their current job; and 3) an individual of their own choosing. References may be contacted by telephone or email, and asked about the candidate’s qualifications. The details of the application process are posted at loc.gov/item/internships/librarian-in-residence/.

Apply during the submission period, which is open from January 20 to February 17, 2023. The expected starting date for program is June 20, 2023.

The Library will hold two information sessions via Zoom—on Thursday, January 19 at 6:00 p.m. and on Friday, January 20 at 12:00 p.m. (EST). Below are the links to the respective registration pages.

1.       Register for the Thursday, January 19 info session: https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_Nw1L6L9tTqO056Sbywf-0Q

2.       Register for the Friday, January 20 info session: https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_AhYnujkJR_WmnttKomcrxQ

For more information about the program or information sessions, please contact Donna Sokol, Program Management Specialist for the Librarians-in-Residence Program, at [email protected].

Thank you in advance for identifying top graduates of your program, and cultivating interest in the Librarians-in-Residence Program at the Library of Congress.