OCLC Minority Librarian Fellowship program

This program is designed to provide a unique opportunity for aspiring library professionals from historically under-represented groups.

OCLC’s Minority Librarian Fellowship offers an opportunity unlike any other. As the world’s leading library cooperative, OCLC offers global exposure through its enterprise-wide product portfolios and operations. OCLC Minority Librarian Fellows will spend time in an assigned host unit, such as Metadata Contract Services or Question Point, working on content-specific projects such as cataloging or cooperative reference services. In addition, the Minority Librarian Fellows will spend time in the Global and Regional Councils division, with an orientation to OCLC and the OCLC member community, participation in OCLC governance meetings, and opportunities for shared learning experiences with many library and information professionals. Each Fellow will have a unique and specifically tailored experience.

OCLC will begin accepting applications for the Fellowship August 5, 2009. Deadline for applications is September 8, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Applicants must have earned an accredited MLS/MLIS or other graduate degree (granted by January 2010) in technology with a special emphasis in libraries or other cultural heritage institutions.

Applicants must have a demonstrated awareness and sensitivity in issues of inclusion/diversity; strong organizational skills which include the ability to organize work plans and processes toward a targeted outcome; exceptional communication skills; and the selected individual must represent historically under-represented groups (defined in a manner consistent with the 2007 EEO-1 reporting classifications).

Description of the fellowships

In 2010 there will be two fellowships with different assignments.

Cataloging and Metadata Services

The Cataloging fellow will participate in several Metadata services, including cataloging for client libraries with emphasis on non-English materials, assistance in the selection and cataloging of materials for language sets, quality control work for WorldCat, and CIP upgrades. The opportunity to work with and create NACO authority records, along with exposure to a book vendor warehouse operation is included. This fellow will spend 3-4 months each in Metadata Contract Services, Quality Control, and the Cataloging in Publication Upgrade. (The fellow will spend 8-9 months in Dublin, OH and 3-4 months in Blackwood, NJ.)

Specific requirements:

• Strong interest in specializing in cataloging/technical services
• Fluent reading skills in a language other than English
• Some familiarity with MARC, AACR2, Dewey decimal classification or Library of Congress Classification, Library of
• Congress subject headings (course work would be acceptable).
• Good communication skills
• Flexibility
• Self-directed

Question Point—Cooperative reference service

The Question Point fellow will have a unique opportunity to help develop an intern/practicum program for MLIS students geared towards virtual reference. The fellow will make contact with MLIS schools in the U.S. and Canada and work with designated faculty or staff to outline areas of possible interest, research, and work within the Question Point platform, cooperative, and databases. The fellow will have a significant role in launching the program and overseeing MLIS interns during the fellowship year.

Specific requirements:

• Strong interest, with significant MLIS coursework or experience, in library reference services
• Strong interest, with significant MLIS coursework or experience, in virtual reference
• Some experience at a reference desk or other public services desk is highly desirable
• Good communication skills
• Flexibility
• Self-directed