Academic Library Fellows Program

The Library Science program has received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to prepare tomorrow's academic library leaders. This funding will support a total of 20 students through the master's program. For the fall, 2009 semester eight students will be admitted as Academic Library Fellows. Two students will be provided with support to work at each of the following locations: the University of Missouri, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Missouri State University. Selection of Fellows will be competitive and will be based on the following:

  • Admission to the master’s program (only students who meet admission criteria will be considered)
  • Statement of purpose (each applying student will compose a statement outlining career goals, detailing expected benefits from the experiences, and projecting personal growth as an outcome of the experience)
  • A committee of SISLT faculty and professional librarians from the partner libraries will review application materials each year to determine finalists for the Fellows program.
  • The committee will conduct interviews (probably via conference calls) with the finalists. The prospective Fellows will be asked about their understanding of, and commitment to, vibrant academic librarianship.
  • The committee will then select the students who will be offered the positions, based on the strength of their academic record, leadership potential, fit within the partner libraries, and qualities expressed in their statements

The deadline for applications is April 1, 2009. Those accepted will be notified shortly thereafter. Apply to the Library Science program according to University Guidelines, and send the statement of purpose to:

John M. Budd
University of Missouri
303 Townsend Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
BuddJ@missouri.edu

About the Academic Fellows Program

  • At each stage of the program, each student will learn not only how operations function, but why (in the larger context of relationship to the community) the operations exist as they do and how they may change in the future.
  • Beyond the day-to-day work, each student will have the opportunity to shadow one or more of the leaders of partner libraries.
  • Students will work closely with the leadership teams of the partner libraries to gain knowledge of budgeting, personnel management, relations with faculty and administrator, and working within a consortium.
  • Students in the program will be able to gain from specific managerial experience, determined by the partner libraries, in consultation with the Principal Investigator. This may include recruitment pf professionals to fill open positions in the partner libraries, planning reallocation of physical space, and other matters.
  • In the first year each Fellow will work at a quarter-time (10 hours per week) assistantship and will receive a stipend of $6,500 plus a scholarship of $2,500 (for a total of $9,000). Educational fees will also be paid. In the second year the assistantship will be half-time (20 hours per week) and the stipend will be $13,000 (again, educational fees will be paid).