New from ACRL - “The Future Academic Librarian’s Toolkit”

CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) announces the publication of “The Future Academic Librarian’s Toolkit: Finding Success on the Job Hunt and in Your First Job,” edited by Megan Hodge. This thorough handbook is designed to guide you from library school through your first several years as an academic librarian, helping you apply for your first position, find your bearings in your new job, establish yourself in the profession through scholarship and service, and transition to your next position.  

Academic libraries are dedicated to supporting the academic pursuits of the students, faculty, and staff of their parent higher-education institutions. This work comes with unique employment statuses, reporting structures, and positions. How do you decide if this is the right career path for you, determine which kind of academic environment you might be most interested in, and develop the skills, credentials, and areas of knowledge commonly required of academic librarians?

"The Future Academic Librarian’s Toolkit" is divided into five comprehensive sections: What is Academic Librarianship; Landing a Position; Working within the Academy; Establishing Yourself within the Profession; and Preparing for your Next Position. In addition to exploring these stages of your career, you will add important skills to your professional toolkit, including advocating for yourself and your ideas, writing for publication, teaching effectively, connecting with faculty and students, and building your professional brand.

The academic library profession is an immensely rewarding one. You can play a crucial role in students’ journey to adulthood and independence by arming them with critical thinking skills, earn the effusive gratitude of faculty for successfully tackling their thorny research problems, safeguard rare and fascinating items for posterity, and much more. Whether you are a library school student deliberating career options, an academic library paraprofessional wishing to understand the expectations of professional positions, or a new librarian seeking to excel in your first professional position, "The Future Academic Librarian’s Toolkit" is for you.

“The Future Academic Librarian’s Toolkit: Finding Success on the Job Hunt and in Your First Job," is available for purchase in print and as an ebook through the ALA Online Store; in print through Amazon.com; and by telephone order at (866) 746-7252 in the U.S. or (770) 442-8633 for international customers.

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The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) is the higher education association for academic libraries and library workers. Representing nearly 10,500 individuals and libraries, ACRL (a division of the American Library Association) develops programs, products, and services to help those working in academic and research libraries learn, innovate, and lead within the academic community. Founded in 1940, ACRL is committed to advancing learning and transforming scholarship. Find ACRL on the web, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.