Billie Walker, associate librarian at the Penn State Berks Thun Library, has been selected to participate in the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Leadership and Career Development Program (LCDP) for 2011–12 by the ARL Committee on Diversity and Leadership.

Walker will attend a two-day orientation session in January at the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting to be held in San Diego.

The LCDP is an 18-month program to prepare mid-career librarians from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups to take on increasingly demanding leadership roles in ARL libraries. The design of the LCDP includes three institutes; a career-coaching relationship with an ARL library director or senior staff member; training on identifying, developing, and conducting a research project during the fellowship; online discussions and webinars related to the ARL strategic directions and a closing event and poster session held during the ALA annual June meeting.

Penn State University Libraries and Scholarly Communications Dean Barbara I. Dewey is elated that one of her faculty will have this opportunity for professional development and exposure to issues that will help to shape Penn State's Libraries.

"Programs such as these help our librarians to better serve the research, teaching and learning needs of our increasingly diverse communities of students, faculty and others," Dewey said.

For more information, contact public relations and marketing at Penn State University Libraries, 814-863-4240 or cqg3@psu.edu.