2024 Librarians-in-Residence Program at the Library of Congress

Posted January 4, 2024

In support of your commitment to develop the next generation of librarians and information professionals, I write to promote the seventh year of an exciting initiative—the 2024 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, Queen’s College – City University of New York, 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 Michigan, 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 within an American Library Association-accredited program between December 1, 2022 and June 16, 2024.

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 will be posted at loc.gov/item/internships/librarian-in-residence/.

I ask that you encourage promising students in your school to apply during the submission period, which will open in early January 2024. The expected starting date for program is June 17, 2024.

The Library will hold two information sessions to give prospective applicants more insight into the program. Details about these information sessions are available on the Librarians-in-Residence page at loc.gov/item/internships/librarian-in-residence.

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].