Please forward this announcement to any MLS graduate student or new library professional who wishes to learn more about careers in research libraries.

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is hosting its third annual Leadership Institute in conjunction with the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Seattle, January 19–21, 2007. The Leadership Institute is a component of ARL's Diversity Initiatives, which aim to support member library recruitment efforts by promoting careers in research librarianship among underrepresented groups in the US and Canada. The Institute of Museum and Library Services and ARL member institutions provided funding for this event.

The Leadership Institute will have three distinct programmatic tracks, focusing on (1) MLS graduate students, (2) subject specialists who are currently enrolled in MLS programs, and (3) mid-career librarians.  The institute will provide an opportunity for participants to gain exposure to current issues and trends in research libraries. The program will focus on transitioning into and building career networks in research libraries and will include presentations from library directors and other leaders in the field.

Targeted participants are:

·         Track 1:  Any MLS graduate student or new library professional who wishes to learn more about research libraries, along with the 2006–08 ARL Diversity Scholars from the Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce

·         Track 2:  ARL Academy Fellows, 2006–07  

·         Track 3:  ARL Leadership & Career Development Program, class of 2007–08  

For more information and to register for the institute, visit http://www.arl.org/diversity/symposium.html, or contact Jerome Offord Jr., Director, ARL Diversity Initiatives, [log in to unmask].