Graduate Student Research Assistant

Description

ALA Accessibility Assembly Carnegie-Whitney Grant Project

The ALA Accessibility Assembly seeks two graduate student research assistants to support the development of a comprehensive, searchable database of scholarship, research, and resources related to accessibility in libraries. The database will be hosted on the American Library Association Accessibility microsite and will serve library workers, researchers, educators, students, and accessibility advocates seeking information on accessibility-related practices, research, and initiatives in libraries. Information about the project is available through the ALA Accessibility Assembly and ALA Accessibility microsite. 

Position Description

The Graduate Student Research Assistants will work closely with project leads and members of the ALA Accessibility Assembly to conduct a literature review and environmental scan of scholarship related to accessibility in libraries. This work will contribute to the creation of a publicly accessible resource designed to support accessibility initiatives, professional development, research, advocacy, and compliance with evolving accessibility requirements.

Potential responsibilities include:

• Identifying and locating accessibility-related scholarship, presentations, reports, toolkits, case studies, and other resources relevant to libraries

• Conducting literature reviews and environmental scans using library and information science databases and other sources

• Creating annotated summaries of identified resources

• Assisting with organization and quality control of bibliographic and metadata records

• Collaborating with project leads to establish consistent documentation and inclusion criteria

• Participating in virtual meetings and project discussions with the ALA Accessibility Assembly

• Assisting with preparation of materials that support the eventual integration of content into the ALA Accessibility microsite database

These activities will support the project's goal of creating a discoverable and sustainable repository of accessibility scholarship and practice-based resources for the library profession. 

Qualifications

Required

• Enrollment in a graduate program in Library and Information Science, Information Studies, Accessibility Studies, Education, Disability Studies, Digital Humanities, or a related field

• Strong research and information-gathering skills

• Ability to work independently and manage assigned tasks

• Interest in accessibility, disability studies, inclusive design, or equitable access to information

• Excellent written communication and organizational skills

• Experience using academic databases and scholarly resources

Preferred

• Coursework or experience related to accessibility, disability, universal design, or inclusive technologies

• Experience conducting literature reviews or environmental scans

• Familiarity with citation management tools, metadata concepts, or bibliographic databases

• Experience creating annotated bibliographies

• Interest in libraries, information access, and accessibility advocacy

About the Project

Accessibility is a critical and evolving area of library practice. While librarians are actively producing research, presentations, and tools related to accessibility, there is currently no centralized repository that enables discovery of this work across the profession. The ALA Accessibility Assembly seeks to address this gap by developing a public database of accessibility-related scholarship, resources, and best practices. The resulting resource will support librarians and library organizations as they work to create more accessible services, spaces, technologies, and policies. 

The project also responds to increasing demand for accessibility resources as libraries prepare to meet evolving accessibility requirements for digital services and online content. By bringing together research and practical resources in one location, the project aims to support knowledge sharing, professional development, and evidence-based accessibility efforts across library settings. 

Remit and Compensation

This is a temporary, project-based appointment funded through the ALA Carnegie-Whitney Grant. The graduate student research assistants will primarily support the literature review and environmental scan phase of the project.

• Two positions available

• Stipend: $1,000 per student

• Approximately 40 hours total work per student

• Equivalent rate of approximately $25 per hour

• Fully remote

• Flexible scheduling

• $750 stipend for attending travel and conference registration funding for Graduate Research Assistants to attend conferences to promote the database 

Research assistants will work under the supervision of project co-leads Lauren Kehoe and Jerry Yarnetsky and in collaboration with members of the ALA Accessibility Assembly. 

Learning Opportunities

Students participating in this project will gain experience in:

• Literature review methodology

• Scholarly communication and research synthesis

• Accessibility research and practice

• Metadata and information organization

• National professional service and collaboration

• Development of publicly accessible scholarly resources

This project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a national accessibility initiative while building research, information organization, and professional experience relevant to careers in libraries, archives, accessibility, and information management.

To apply for this position, send your CV or Resume and a statement of interest (~250 words or less) to accessibilityassembly@gmail.com.  First consideration to submissions received by November 20th.  The statement should address the following: 

Accessibility and equitable access to information are foundational values in librarianship. Describe your interest in this research assistant position and explain how accessibility, inclusion, or equitable access have influenced your academic, professional, volunteer, or personal experiences. Why is this work important to you, and how do you hope to contribute to a project that supports accessible information access?