Spectrum Initiative: Scholarship Requirements & Expectations

Spectrum Initiative Mission

It is a troubling reality that our current ranks do not represent the communities served by libraries. The Spectrum Initiative will therefore:

• address the specific issues of underrepresentation of critically needed ethnic librarians within the profession;
• serve as a model for ways to bring attention to other diversity issues in the future.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

1. Applicants must have applied for admission to an *ALA recognized master's degree program in library and information studies. The recipients must enter an ALA recognized master degree program. *(ALA Policy 54.2.2: The master's degree in librarianship from a program accredited by the American Library Association or a master's degree with a specialty in school library media from an education unit accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) is the appropriate first professional degree for school library media specialists.)
2. Applicants must also be a member of one of these groups: African American or African Canadian
   • Asian or Pacific Islander
   • Latino or Hispanic
   • Native People of the U.S. or Canada
3. Applicants must provide "a written statement of about 250 words that addresses why you want to be a librarian and how your life, work, and educational experiences will help you be a good librarian in a multi-ethnic society. Please include specific examples of these experiences."

Applicant Criteria

References are asked to rate the candidate as:

[These criteria and ranking alternatives should be consistent with those on the reference sheet.]

1. high prospect
2. medium prospect
3. low prospect
4. out-of-scope

1. Productivity
   Demonstrated participation in college, community, activities, etc.

2. Intelligence
   Ability to deal with new or trying situations
   Ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment
   Ability to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria
   

3. Creativity
   Ability to invent new and original things, programs, activities

4. Initiative
   Demonstrated energy and motivation to initiate an action

5. Oral Expression
   Ability to deliver effective oral presentations
   Ability to present ideas clearly to staff and members

6. Written Expression
   Ability to develop effective business correspondence

7. Leadership Potential
   Demonstrated leadership in college, community, etc.

8. Judgment
   Ability to form an opinion by discerning and comparing
   Ability to develop proposition by stating something believed or asserted

9. Interpersonal skills
   Ability to work well with others

Requirements for Recipients

1. Willingness to participate in a Spectrum Initiative longitudinal study
2. Willingness to complete a brief annual report about the scholar's experiences and progress
3. Willingness to attend an all expense paid Spectrum Institute

Expectations of Recipients

1. Become a member of the American Library Association
2. Support the goals of the American Library Association
3. Willingness to serve on an American Library Association committee or as an intern
4. Active participation in the American Library Association at the chapter, regional, or local level
5. Perform in an advisory capacity to the Spectrum Steering Committee
6. Willingness to serve as a recruiter and mentor to future Spectrum scholars

There will be an exhibit honoring Spectrum Initiative Scholarship winners during the Annual Conference of the American Library Association. ALA will provide a guest registration badge and conference details should winners wish to attend.

Back to Spectrum Initiative Home Page

For more information, contact Sandra Rios Balderrama
sbalderr@ala.org
1-800-545-2433, ext. 5020.

Or contact April Olinger
aolinger@ala.org
1-800-545-2433, ext. 4276.