RLI 286  6 RESEARCH LIBRARY ISSUES: A REPORT FROM ARL, CNI, AND SPARC 2015 had underway in providing MLA with support for its minority scholarship program. The Spectrum Scholarship Program is a national diversity and recruitment effort, offering scholarship support and attendance at a leadership program at the American Library Association’s annual meeting, for library science students from underrepresented populations. NLM/MLA’s support of the Spectrum Scholarship began in 2001, supporting a single student and expanded in 2006 to support two students annually. The MLA provided a mentor for the students. In 2009, NLM sought an assessment of its nearly 10-year investment in the Spectrum Scholars program. The American Library Association Office of Diversity provided follow-up data on the Spectrum Scholars supported by NLM, indicating that four were employed in health sciences libraries, four were employed in other libraries, and the whereabouts of four were unknown. At the same time, ALA was actively engaged in its first follow-up and evaluation of the Spectrum Scholars program, so aggregate data on the group was expected later. NLM, however, realized that it had little connection to the scholars beyond the named connection of the financial support of tuition. NLM discussed what factors would have an impact on recent library science graduates and how NLM could make a stronger connection with them. As a result of this assessment, in 2009 NLM began offering a one-day visit to NLM for its named Spectrum Scholars. The scholars’ trip is paid for by NLM, and during the visit the students meet with senior leadership and with the staff of the National Network Office, which oversees the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, a 6,000-member network of health sciences libraries, public libraries, and community-based organizations engaged in the provision of health information for the public. The students also meet with staff in program areas of interest, including Big Data, Reference, Outreach, and Preservation. This early visit in the careers of library science students—often the visit takes place before the student even begins school—could have a profound effect on a student’s interests. In some cases the early visit to NLM has influenced choice of courses and presented new options in career paths. These visits also offer staff an opportunity to be in touch with the scholars, further extending the connection. Conclusion Since partnering with ARL, ALA, and MLA in diversity programs, NLM has seen ARL CEP fellows and ALA Spectrum Scholars appear in its recruitments for open positions and for the NLM Associate Fellowship Program. After the ALA/MLA/NLM Spectrum Scholars visited NLM, one scholar became a self-described “NLM fan” and several others have applied to the NLM Associate Fellowship Program, with one scholar joining the 2014–2015 NLM Associate Fellowship cohort. Two of the ARL CEP fellows joined NLM on staff. The successes NLM has realized from a pipeline that routinely delivers a diverse and talented pool of future colleagues appear to be due to multiple factors. One scholarship or one internship is unlikely to be the only deciding factor in the direction a new professional takes as the next career step. Instead, scholars and fellows require financial support, practical support, mentorship, project opportunities, and the guidance of mentors offering the sign that says “this way” as they think beyond a job to having a career, and about what it takes to make a difference in their chosen profession.
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