The document discusses the rise of library residency programs as a solution for new librarians to gain practical experience post-graduation, highlighting their benefits, such as professional development and networking. It details the structure, features, and challenges of these residencies, which are mainly located in academic libraries and aim to enhance diversity within the field. It also contrasts residencies with other experiential learning opportunities like fellowships and internships, providing examples of different library residency programs.

1. Residency Models on
the Rise:
Chances and challenges for
new librarians, educators,
and employers
Presented by Sebastian Wilke & Bridgette Hendrix
Co-Convenors, NPSIG
WLIC 2014
IFLA New Professionals Special Interest Group | npsig.wordpress.com | @npsig

2. First comes the degree, then comes...
Congratulations! You graduated Library School!
But what do you do next?
Getting Experience
One of the chief complaints of both employers and library students is
that LIS programs do not give graduates ample practical experience.
How can this be solved?
● Volunteering
● Field Study / Course Work
● Internships
● Part-time Jobs
● Residencies / Fellowships / Postgraduate Opportunities

3. Wait.. What’s a residency?
A residency refers to a structured program that provides
training and practical experience in a particular field.
● Medical Residencies
● Artist Residencies
● Humanities and Writing Residencies
● Library Residencies

4. Library Residencies
Residencies in the LIS field are relatively new, dating back to the mid
1980’s. Most are concentrated in the academic/research sector,
almost none for public libraries. One of the original aims of residency
programs in libraries was to address the issue of ethnic diversity in the
field.
In library residencies, librarians new to the field, recent graduates, are
hired to work in a library in a professional capacity for an established
period of time. Programs vary in their concentrations and structures,
but many share common features.
San Jose State School of Library and Information Science, Developing a Technology Integration
Residency Model: the Catalyst Project Report, June 2012

5. Features of Library Residencies
● Set Duration:
○ Commonly 2 years
○ Sometimes 1 or 3
● Paid Positions:
○ Typically with benefits
● Usually Rotational or
Specialized
● May result in a capstone or
research project, or
presentation
● Single host library provides the
experience
● Residents and host libraries
collaborate on projects
● Can include mentoring and
support for additional
professional development
● Residents may be placed in
groups, called cohorts

6. Mentoring
A more formalized relationship between the resident and an
experienced librarian.
● Can be formal (paired by host institution) or informal
● If a resident rotates throughout different departments in the host
institution, often mentors are arranged in each department
● Former residents can serve as mentors
● Other professionals can serve as mentors

7. Benefits of Mentoring
● Networking
● Mutual Support
● Increased Exposure
Residency Benefits for
New Librarians
● Professional entry-level
experience
● Explore new aspects of
librarianship
● Networking &
professional
development
● Potential for full-time
employment
Residency Benefits for
Host Institutions
● Fresh ideas & attitudes in
the workplace
● Leverage residents’
experiences with
emerging technology
● Interact with recent
graduates
● Impact what’s taught in
LIS programs
● Ability to hire highly-trained
librarians already
familiar with the
institution

8. Downsides to the Residency Model
● Permanent employment is not guaranteed
● Resident’s work may remain the property of the institution after
the residency ends
● Co-workers’ perspectives
● Rotational residencies may not provide enough experience in a
certain area
● Labor laws and regulations differ from country to country

9. + Residencies & Other
Experiential Learning
Opportunities

10. Residencies, Internships, & Fellowships
Residencies
● Postgraduate
● Long-term
● Stipend / Salary Provided
● Generally occur during LIS
● Usually the length of a
● Can be unpaid
Fellowships
Internships
studies
semester
● Similar structure to residencies
● Often last less than a year
● Can be unpaid / hourly pay rate

11. Examples of Library Residences
Early Career / Entry-level
● National Library of Medicine Associate Fellowship (DC, USA)
For recent LIS graduates interested in medical librarianship.
Research Facility.
● Kress Fellowship in Art Librarianship (New Haven, CT USA)
8-month program in a major university library focusing on art
librarianship
● The Towson Library Residency Program (Towson, MD USA)Two-year
residency at an academic library aimed at increasing diversity
in the field. Rotational.
● Google Policy Fellowship
Three-month program for current students with interests in
internet and technology policy. Several host institutions are
available around the world.

12. Examples of Library Residences
Mid-Career
● Visiting Special Collections Librarian, University of Nevada (Las
Vegas, NV USA)
18-month appointment working on a special project.
● Goethe Insitut Librarian in Residence
Month-long program focusing on sending German librarians to the
US to work on projects involving different topics every year.

13. Library & Information Science Residencies
Not always in traditional settings
● National Digital Stewardship Residency
9-month program sponsored by the US Institute of Museum and
Library Studies that concentrates on management of digital
cultural assets.
● Wikipedian in Residence
Cultural institutions all over the world host WIR, who manages
Wikipedia entries related to the institution.
● Fulbright Fellowships
Open to US & non-US scholars and students to pursue research
interests. Not limited by discipline.

14. Presented by
Sebastian Wilke @listraveler
Bridgette Hendrix @bridgettediann
Co-Convenors, NPSIG
WLIC 2014
Questions?
Residency Models on the
Rise: Chances and
challenges for new
librarians, educators, and
employers
IFLA New Professionals Special Interest Group | npsig.wordpress.com | @npsig

15. + Let’s Hack the Model!

16. Hacking the Residency
In small groups, let’s create an ideal residency model.
Things to think about:
1. In what type of institution will the residency take place?
2. Will there be a single resident, or a cohort?
3. Is it a rotational residency, or focused on a specific
department / issue?
4. Is there a targeted audience or purpose for your residency,
i.e. is it to increase diversity?
5. What type of financial assistance will residents receive?
6. What types of professional development and support will be
offered?
7. Will labor laws or regulations need to be altered?