Libraries Special Programs: Kenlee Ray Library & Archives Fellows: Home

Learn if a career in Libraries or Archives is right for you.

The Kenlee Ray Library & Archives Fellows program allows students to research librarianship, both at Earlham and at other types of libraries.

• Learn about multiple aspects of librarianship through local library site visits and networking with Earlham Alumni working as librarians.
• View and discuss a variety of media on libraries, including documentaries, theatrical movies, and librarian-created videos.
• Read about the intellectual framework and ethics behind librarianship and engage in discussions of the readings & media with librarians.
• Research current topics in librarianship, such as how librarians are defending intellectual freedom by battling efforts to ban books.
• Create a bibliography of your research that you will share with other participants and librarians.
• Develop skills in archival research and creating public displays by creating additional pages on notable Earlham alumni to add to the touch-screen display started by former Kenlee Ray Fellows.

Student learning goals:

• Gain experience in the library workplace.
• Explore library professional associations and issues.
• Initiate a network of library professional contacts.
• Develop a vocational relationship with an Earlham library professional.

Student outcomes: 

Upon completion of the fellowship, the student will be able to:

• Learn about the variety of roles within libraries, and the range of types of libraries, archives, and related career options.
• Be aware of some of the modern challenges facing libraries and some ways those issues are being addressed.
• Express his/her own aptitudes and preferences among types of librarianship.
• Demonstrate skills in doing archival research and creating a public display based on that research.

Activities related to goals:

• Project work
  • Hands-on projects that arise from student interests and library staff needs
• Readings & Discussion
  • Conversations with a librarian or archivist about an assigned reading or media on librarianship
• Alumni Engagement
  • Meetings with alumni in library, archives, and related positions
• Reviewing types of libraries and library positions
  • Library site visits
  • Review of open job ads

Institutional Outcomes:

• Cultivate future professional leaders with Earlham connections.
• Link current students to Earlham LIS alumni, and LIS alumni to Earlham.
• Demonstrate the value of the Earlham Libraries to College recruitment and retention.
• Align the Earlham Libraries with the College focus on post-graduate success.

• Earlham students can apply through Handshake. Look for "Summer Research Assistant."

• Deadline to apply - February 16

• Program dates: May 15 - June 7

• Students are provided stipends at $100 per day for full-time employment. (Taxable)

• Saturdays, Sundays, and Memorial Day (Monday, May 27th) are unpaid days off. 

• Students must cover their own cost-of-living expenses.

• Students must be rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Seniors graduating before the project starts are not eligible.

2013 - Sarah Brown-Anson, Brian Forman

2014 - Colin Andrews, Ann MacNamara

2015 - Aaron Falsetto, Michael Grathwohl

2016 - Mollie Goldblum, William Henry, Lara Miller, Allison Muterspaw, Sadie Zabawa

2017 - Sarah Spodek

2018 - Minda Dettman, Jade Pendleton

2019 - Leanne Cheong, Yasmin Dasilva, Anh Nguyen, Victoria Trezona

2020 - Sydney Ameluxen, Lee Tran, Simon Trubek-Pence, Anyu Zhang

2021 - Yazid Barhoush, Courtney Bassett, Myrrh Grossman, Fiona Kelly, Sumayyah Mumford 

2022 - Rebecca Fischer, Kate Neal

2023 - Quinn Doden, Oona Giebel, Tamarianna Mason, Blaise Rzeszut, Diana Santiago-Cruz