Supporting the Spectrum Scholarship Program: perspectives from the Northern California and Nevada Medical Library...

Area of Science:

• Library and Information Science
• Health Sciences Librarianship

Background:

• The American Library Association Spectrum Scholarship Program is crucial for diversifying the library profession.
• Medical libraries face challenges in recruiting and retaining Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To raise awareness of the Spectrum Scholarship Program.
• To share regional strategies for supporting Spectrum Scholars.
• To advocate for enhanced infrastructure supporting BIPOC librarians in medical librarianship.

Main Methods:

• Authors, as past and current leaders of the Northern California and Nevada Medical Library Group, share their experiences.
• The authors outline their methods for supporting Spectrum Scholars within their geographic area.

Main Results:

• The article highlights successful regional support models for Spectrum Scholars.
• It identifies a need for broader institutional support within the Medical Library Association (MLA).

Conclusions:

• Medical Library Association chapters and the organization at large should strengthen support for BIPOC librarians.
• Investing in robust infrastructure is essential for the professional development of emerging BIPOC health sciences librarians.