About the Program

The Partners Program provides Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) students with the opportunity to pursue their education while gaining related work experience in Pittsburgh-area libraries, archives, cultural and other types of institutions. The Partner provides students with real world experience; the LIS Program provides students partial tuition scholarships.

The Partners Program supports full-time, on-campus MLIS students who are U.S. Citizens attending classes on-campus (see Student Policies and Guidelines) with partial tuition scholarships for three concecutive terms of study. All placements are made for the Fall Term only.

In addition to the scholarship, the student may receive an hourly wage/stipend from the Partner institution. Some placements provide only the tuition scholarship and no additional funding. A student working 10 hours per week receives a 3-credit tuition scholarship each term. If there is an associated hourly wage/stipend, this is determined and paid directly by the Partner institution and may vary by position/institution.

To apply for the Partners Program

Prospective students must complete the pertinent section in their application for admission on Apply Yourself. Please note that you must complete the "Financial Support" section of your application for admission and a Partners Student Application (accessible only from your Apply Yourself Account).

The deadline for applying to the Partners Program is January 15.

As part of the Partners application, students note areas of specialization and special skills. This information, along with previous work experience and areas of interest, facilitates the match process.  However, there are no guarantees that every student who applies for the Program will be placed or that placement will match specialization. Skills and backgrounds requested by the Partner determine which applicants are the best fit for a specific placement.  Students should view all experience in the field as valuable in achieving their career goals.

Partners Testimonials

• "The Partners students in the Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) work in reference and technical services at Falk Library and in a hospital setting at the Moulis Library at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. These students are supplementing their academic experience with practical skills while enhancing the role of HSLS as a teaching library. Having become a Partner in the Program early in its inception, HSLS continues to offer excellent opportunities for students, particularly those interested in medical librarianship."

Nancy Tannery, MLS
Associate Director for User Services
Health Sciences Library System
Univ of Pittsburgh