Purpose of the Program:
· to facilitate career development in academic librarianship for qualified
minority applicants
· allow interns to gain practical experience by initially rotating
through all KSU Libraries' departments before choosing an area of specialization
The goal of the program is to not only increase the number of minorities in
the library profession, but also to increase diversity among KSU Libraries’
staff.
The successful applicant in the Intern Program:
· will be a member of KSU Libraries’ faculty at the rank of “Instructor”
· will receive a salary equivalent to approximately half of that of
a full-time entry level professional position
· will accrue vacation and sick leave as a part-time employee of Kansas
State University
Who Qualifies?
Eligible candidates must be a member of a minority group that is under-represented
in the field of librarianship. This includes: Black, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific
Islander, American Indian or Alaskan Native, as listed in the Appendix 2,
“Race/Ethnic Identification,” of document R10-87 Kansas State
University Affirmative Action Plan (December, 1999).
Work/Training Schedule
The internship is divided into two phases:
Phase one is designed to expose the intern to various responsibilities and
routines of departments within the University Libraries.
Phase two allows the intern to explore an area of librarianship of his/her
own special interest, by choosing any department in which he/she desires to
work. (Approval of the department head is required.)
The intern must be enrolled at SLIM for two of three semesters each academic
year (spring, fall, summer). The intern must also work at the Libraries two
of the three semesters. The internship can extend from one and one half to
three years.
Work schedules can be very flexible:
· attend school full time one semester and work full time one semester
· go to school part-time and work part-time
· go to school full-time, working intermittent hours and full-time
during semester breaks
· work two or three days of the week; go to school for weekend intensives
and take telenet classes (many of which are offered at K-State)
http://www.lib.ksu.edu/depts/dowmrc/minority_intern_program.html
Kansas State University Libraries defines diversity broadly, to mean all those
categories of difference which may give rise to negative stereotyping and/or
discrimination between people. The proposed Residency Program will incorporate
many of the objectives of the "Comprehensive Diversity Plan for KSU Libraries,"
demonstrating the organization's commitment to increasing and supporting diversity
within the Libraries and across the university. The program will be defined
by the Libraries' Diversity Team and other committed individuals.
Philosophy
In support of the University's strategic theme to "enhance a diverse
multicultural environment," KSU Libraries affirms the educational value
of diversity, and the belief that diversity enriches every aspect of the university
experience. In order to enhance the diversity of the KSU Libraries' staff,
we propose that a two-year post-MLS Library Residency Program be created.
That, in turn, will help create an environment that prepares students for
life and work in a diverse, global community.
KSU Libraries supports the belief that staff development and education are
essential if advocacy for and commitment to diversity are to be supported
by the Libraries' staff. The organizational climate resulting from a successful
staff development program will improve our ability to hire and retain qualified
individuals from more diverse groups. It will also produce a more "inter-culturally
competent" staff that can effectively serve the University's increasingly
diverse population.
A two-year post-MLS residency program has the potential to support the University's
strategic theme in an innovative and highly-effective way.
Program Purpose
The purpose of the proposed Residency Program is to:
· attract and retain good candidates who will further the goal of the
Library to diversify its staff to the KSU Libraries, K-state community, and
library and information professions.
· help the resident librarian build skills for success in an academic,
faculty position.
· help create a diverse community of university faculty and staff that
reflects both our multi-cultural society and individual differences.
Objectives
The residency will provide unique opportunities for individuals from diverse
groups to pursue a career in academic librarianship through:
· work in an academic setting under the guidance of knowledgeable,
experienced, successful mentors
· practical application of skills and experiences comparable to those
of entry-level professionals
· career development opportunities in a supportive environment
Mentoring
Because the purpose of the Residency Program is to identify individuals who
have the potential to develop the skills required for professional positions,
the individual(s) selected will be paired with specially-selected, trained
mentors who will be able to help them develop those skills. A 'multiple mentors
model' will be adopted so that every resident will have the benefit of the
guidance and wisdom unique to different individuals among the staff. For example,
a resident may spend time with one individual who excels at navigating the
online catalog, with another whose knowledge of databases is especially good,
with another whose style of interacting with specific user groups is superb,
and with another whose ability to handle concurrent, multiple demands is exceptional,
etc. Mentors will also assist the resident to learn the timetable/process
required of tenure-track faculty. Mentors will be chosen in consultation with
the resident so that the resident's needs and interests can be expanded.
Program Specifics
· Resident Librarian's assignments will be made by Department Chairs,
in coordination with the Director of Administrative Services.
· Assignments will involve a variety of tasks, problems, opportunities,
observations, and challenges. Assignments will not be of a clerical or routine
nature. Special projects may be undertaken. Assignments may include desk duty
at reference points for which orientation will be provided through the General
Reference Training Program for non-tenure-track faculty
Salary and Benefits
· salary similar to that of entry-level professional and comprehensive
compensation package
· office space with access to personal computer
· identification of internal/external trainers and mentors
Qualifications
· potential to meet requirements for becoming academic library faculty
· graduate degree from a library/information program accredited by
ALA
· interest in academic librarianship
· individual would increase diversity (as defined by the Comprehensive
Diversity Plan...) of the library faculty
· excellent interpersonal and communication skills
· ability to work in a team environment
Evaluation
Evaluation of the Resident Librarian will be on-going. Each Resident Librarian
will be evaluated on the same criteria as are other library faculty. The success
of the program itself will be evaluated by how it meets the University's and
the Libraries' strategic goals.
Procedure
Standard procedure (letter of interest stating qualifications, resume, transcripts,
references).
Admission to the program will be competitive and will require signing a memorandum of agreement.
http://www.lib.ksu.edu/depts/dowmrc/residency.html
http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/InView/101801dow.html
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