Proceedings of the First National Joint Conference of Librarians of Color - 265

CAREER PANELS For spring 2004 the Steering Committee decided, with the Foundation’s approval, that it would be advisable to offer a career-oriented program, rather than another issues-based program. To that end, each of the five colleges sponsored librarian career panels in April 2004. A total of 81 students attended the panels, which were composed of three to seven librarians from different backgrounds, including public, academic, and special libraries as well as the American Library Association. In order to help attract students from diverse backgrounds, the career panels included a number of Asian American, African American, and Hispanic American speakers. Additionally, two of the guests on one panel were cited as “Movers & Shakers” in the March 2004 issue of Library Journal. Timing of the career panels was beneficial, as all campuses were in the process of soliciting applications for the graduate school scholarships and the postgraduate Library Associate position. Attendance at the panels resulted in several applications for both opportunities. The events were also successful in engaging students who had not previously considered librarianship as a career and deepening understanding of the profession among those who were already interested. Data from those students who attended the panels and completed evaluation forms indicate that the sessions fulfilled their intended purposes of encouraging participants to think more seriously about a librarian career. We continued the career-oriented programming as a complement to the broadbased programs with librarian career panels in the spring of 2005. A total of 98 people at five campuses attended the panels. Again, the career panels included a number of Asian American, African American, and Hispanic American speakers from varying library environments. One student commented specifically on the diversity of the panel by writing, “Panelists were so inspiring and passionate – a wonderful assortment of genders, ages, racial backgrounds, etc.” At one panel, the Director of an MLS program in the state was on the panel. Students appreciated the ability to ask “nuts and bolts” questions about pursuing an MLS, as one student indicated, “It filled in some of the blanks I had.” Career-oriented programming was offered in spring 2006. A total of 82 people at six campuses attended the career panels. Student feedback on the panels was positive, with one attendee commenting that, “[the] panelists really like what they do and that makes me want to consider librarianship as a career.” Of the students who completed evaluations, 83% indicated that, as a result of attending the career panel, they were definitely considering librarianship as a career option. One unexpected benefit of the career panels was the interest from members of the local community. This is a welcome development, since those who changed careers are among the most enthusiastic and adept recruiters to the profession. In one case, an African American teacher who is considering library school had the chance to meet and converse with a children’s librarian in a large urban public library system, as well as the library program director – taking the next step toward earning an MLS. POST-BACCALAUREATE INTERN POSITION/MELLON LIBRARY ASSOCIATES The third component of the program involves full-time, post-baccalaureate intern positions, renamed Mellon Library Associates. These positions will provide excellent academic library experience that will make the participants exceptionally well qualified for graduate library school. Five such positions have been awarded among the participating institutions on a competitive basis, with the selection process giving some preference to applicants from diverse cultural backgrounds and to those who have participated in the undergraduate internship program. A selection committee comprised of the participating institutions’ library directors and an outside consultant (Dr. C. Olivia Frost, Associate Dean for Professional Programs at the University of Michigan’s School of Information) chose the five Associates from a pool of 16, following a uniform application procedure devised by the project Steering Committee. Of 265

Proceedings of the First National Joint Conference of Librarians of Color

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