ARL Kaleidoscope Program

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The ARL Kaleidoscope Program (formerly, the Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce IRDW), funded by ARL member libraries, was established in 2000 as a member response to the low representation of racial and ethnic minorities in the professional workforce among member institutions. The purpose of this program is to attract students from traditionally underrepresented groups to careers in academic and research libraries, and archives. The Kaleidoscope Program accomplishes this through generous funding for master of library and information science (MLIS) education and a suite of related benefits.

The Kaleidoscope Program is a program designed to recruit master of library and information science (MLIS) students from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic groups into careers in research libraries and archives. The Kaleidoscope Program includes a stipend of up to $10,000, leadership and career development training, a site visit to the Michigan State University Libraries, financial support for skills development, and a formal mentorship program.

Qualified applicants must identify as a racial/ethnic minority group as described by the US Census Bureau or Statistics Canada and be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, Puerto Rico or Canada. Applicants are required to remain enrolled in at least six graduate credit hours per term through completion of the MLIS or equivalent degree.

For more information, including additional eligibility requirements and the complete application cycle guidelines, visit the ARL Kaleidoscope Program website.