Resident librarians—early career librarians who participate in a residency program at an academic library—are invaluable to the daily operations of the library where they are assigned. While they gain great experience, some can struggle with navigating the role in relative isolation. To meet this need, several universities collaborated to establish the Resident Librarian Summit, an event dedicated to supporting budding library professionals as they begin building their networks.
The event was motivated by a need for broader institutional support for resident librarians, who benefit from long-term mentorship after returning to their home institutions. Access to structured mentorship programs and ongoing professional development helps lead to greater retention and success in the profession.
In September, resident librarians and program coordinators from American University, Duke University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and Washington and Lee University gathered at the University of Virginia for the inaugural Resident Librarian Summit.
The event was coordinated by Roberto Silva, head of Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech’s Health Sciences and Technology Library, along with his colleague Eric Glenn, director of belonging, engagement, and organizational development for the university’s libraries.
“I was thrilled that we, as coordinators, had the opportunity to create a space where residents from various institutions could come together to connect, amplify one another, and highlight their valuable contributions to the field,” says Silva, alluding to the event’s theme: Connect, Amplify, Spotlight.
Attendees exchanged ideas, expanded professional knowledge, and deepened their understanding of the evolving academic library landscape. From data services and metadata to collections, open education, and publishing, the summit was tailored to align with each participant’s unique interests and career goals while also addressing the growing demand for specialized skills.
To empower librarians with the tools and confidence to make meaningful contributions to their institutions, the structure encouraged both formal learning and informal networking. This allowed attendees to share open dialogue and gain fresh perspectives on issues such as supporting underrepresented student populations, integrating emerging technologies, and enhancing access to digital resources.
Emphasizing the importance of community and mentorship was a central goal of the summit, and the resident librarians benefited from connecting with seasoned professionals who provided guidance on the complexities of the academic library ecosystem.
“Our goal was to cultivate a strong sense of community by fostering an environment that encouraged meaningful connections, supported professional development, and promoted interuniversity collaboration,” says Silva. “I truly believe we achieved that, and we are already looking into hosting another summit this summer 2025.”
