The Jay Jordan IFLA/OCLC Early Career Development Fellowship Program for Developing Countries

August 27, 2010

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Fellowship Program for library and information science professionals from countries with developing economies

Job Description: The program is jointly sponsored by the American Theological Library Association (ATLA), the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and OCLC.

On an annual basis program sponsors select up to six individuals, including a theological librarian, to participate in a five-week intensive Fellowship program. Four weeks are based at OCLC’s headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, USA, and one week is based at OCLC in Leiden, Netherlands, Europe. Topics and issues include information technologies and their impact on libraries, library operations and management, and global cooperative librarianship.

Fellows visit selected North American and European libraries and cultural heritage institutions, meet with leading information professionals and observe OCLC’s governance structure in action. The Fellows gain insight into issues affecting global library cooperation and are exposed to the governance of a global library cooperative. Key services and activities of program sponsors ATLA, IFLA and OCLC are highlighted. Fellows have numerous opportunities to meet leading practitioners and discuss real-world solutions to the challenges facing libraries today.

Fellows translate their learning and experiences into specific professional development plans that guide their continued growth as well as their personal contributions to their home institutions and country of origin.

Eligibility
Promising library and information science professionals who are in early stages of career development and who meet all of the qualifications are encouraged to apply. Applicants must:
-Be employed in a library or information center.
-Have a qualifying degree in library or information science. The qualifying degree may vary depending upon country of origin, but should be the general library or information science degree recognized in the country. Normally a PhD or MPhil is not considered a qualifying degree, because the Fellowship program is targeted for early career librarians.
-Have obtained the qualifying degree between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2010.
-Have at least three years, but no more than eight years, of library or information science experience. For the 2012 program, applicants must have library or information science experience that begins no earlier than January 1, 2003 and no later than January 1, 2008.
-Be a legal national from a qualifying country (see list of Qualifying Countries) and be working as a librarian or information science professional in that country.
-Read and speak English proficiently.
-Be prepared to work as a team member with other Fellows and to participate as required in this fast-paced program.
-Have a valid passport.
-Be able to obtain an appropriate visa permitting legal entry into the United States and into the Netherlands (the Netherlands is the base for the week in Europe; once admitted to one European Union country, Fellows will be able to travel within other countries visited during the program).

Application Procedures
For consideration, qualified applicants must prepare and submit an application, including an electronic copy of their qualifying library or information science degree diploma. The application must follow the content outline and format described in the document “2012 Application.” The completed application, including diploma copy, PLUS two letters of recommendation must be received by OCLC no later than February 18, 2011. The application and letters of recommendation must be in English.

Further Fellowship Information and Application

Scholarship Tags: developing countries, Information Science, Library