The Mosaic Scholarship provides financial and mentoring support to students of color pursuing graduate education in archival science, encourages students to pursue a career as an archivist, and promotes the diversification of the American archives profession. The award is given to applicants who demonstrate excellent potential for scholastic and personal achievement and who manifest a commitment both to the archives profession and to advancing diversity concerns within it. Established by the SAA Council in August 2008 to advance SAA’s Diversity Strategic Priority.

Eligibility:

The applicant:

• Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or Canada.
• Must be of American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Middle Eastern/North African, or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander descent.
• Must be currently enrolled in a graduate program or a multi-course program in archival administration, or have applied to such a program for the next academic year. (The graduate program must offer at least three courses in archival science or be listed in the current SAA Directory of Archival Education. If the program is not listed in the SAA Directory of Archival Education, the applicant must provide proof of the three-course standard by submitting copies of course descriptions from the institution’s current course catalog.)
• Shall have completed no more than half of the credit requirements toward her/his graduate degree at the time of award (i.e., June 1).
• Must be enrolled in a graduate program and begin school no later than September 1 or the fall semester/quarter immediately following the award. Otherwise the award will be rescinded.
• May have full-time or part-time status.
• Must submit a 500-word report to the SAA Council upon completion of the second semester.

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The Spectrum Scholarship Program actively recruits and provides scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern and North African, and/or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students to assist them with obtaining a graduate degree and leadership positions within the profession and ALA.

Through the Spectrum Scholarship Program, the American Library Association affirms its commitment to diversity and inclusion by seeking the broadest participation of new generations of racially and ethnically diverse librarians to position ALA to provide leadership in the transformation of libraries and library services.

Applications for the program open on September 1st, and close March 1st of each year. Common questions about the scholarship and more information about the application process can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

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The American Library Association (ALA) Emerging Leaders (EL) program is a leadership development program which enables newer library workers from across the country to participate in problem-solving work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into ALA structure, and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity. It puts participants on the fast track to ALA committee volunteerism as well as other professional library-related organizations.

Participants commit to participating in all aspects of the program. Participants may be offered an opportunity to serve on an ALA, division, chapter, or round table committee, task force or workgroup as well as other library-related groups upon completion of program. However, appointments are not guaranteed.

The program is limited to no more than 50 participants each year.

Selection Criteria

The selection committee seeks diversity based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to geography, gender, ethnicity and type of library. Particular attention is given to candidates’ personal statements as well as those of their references. No more than one person from any institution can be selected for participation in the program per year. Preference will be given to those who do not have experience working on ALA committees, task forces, etc. and to those who meet the following criteria:

1. Selected participants must be a new library professional of any age with fewer than 5 years of experience working at a professional or paraprofessional/support staff level in a library; If you worked in a library and subsequently earned your MLS, we will not count the time worked prior to receiving your MLS towards the total number of years worked.
2. Selected participants must be willing and able to attend both ALA conferences and work virtually in between the two conferences. Attendance at both conferences is a REQUIREMENT.
3. Selected participants must not be currently enrolled in, or applying to a program that requires participation during the Emerging Leaders’ full-day events scheduled at both the January meeting or the ALA Annual Conference during the year of program participation.

Additional Information

1. Be prepared to commit to serve on an ALA, Division, Chapter, or Round Table committee, task force or workgroup, or your state or local library organization upon completion of program, and
2. Be an ALA member, and if sponsored by an organization, a member of that organization.

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The Kaleidoscope Program is a two-year commitment designed to prepare IBPOC graduate students for purposeful and consequential careers in research libraries and archives by focusing on professional development; institutional operations; engagement with new and established peers; and other topics relevant to the values, goals, and missions of research libraries and archives.

Kaleidoscope Scholars receive financial support for tuition and professional development, mentoring, and access to educational experiences and signature events. Through the Kaleidoscope Program, ARL acknowledges that systemic inequities exist in the field and understands the imperative to pursue and advance inclusive and just research information environments.

The Kaleidoscope Program is designed for emerging and expanding first-level leaders interested in pursuing a career in a research library or archive. Eligible applicants must be residents of Canada or the US, be enrolled in a master’s program accredited by the American Library Association, and demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a career in a research library or archive. All eligible and complete applications are given full and equal consideration through a masked evaluation process, irrespective of applicants’ racial identities.

Eligibility

The Kaleidoscope Program is designed for emerging and expanding first-level leaders interested in pursuing a career in a research library or archive. To be eligible to participate in the Kaleidoscope Program, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

• Be a resident of Canada or the US
• Be enrolled in a master’s program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA)
• Demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a career in a research library or archive

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The Black Caucus of the American Library Association’s Level Up Mentorship Program is a self-select, member-exclusive opportunity to receive tailored mentoring. The program’s success lies in its uncomplicated framework built on the principles of Heritage, Simplicity, and Community. The Level Up Program leverages Black empowerment, efficiency, and to foster a positive mentee experience.

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Libraries are essential for democracy. The Library Freedom Project provides library workers and their communities with the necessary skills to turn our ideals into action, focused on issues like privacy, intellectual freedom, and information democracy.

LFP advocates for working collaboratively to drive policy, teach stakeholders, and enact change. Our work is informed by a social justice, feminist, anti-racist approach.

LFP believes in the combined power of long-term collective organizing and short-term, immediate harm reduction.

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