More Information
About the Program
Since its creation in 1982, the UCLA Library Senior Fellows program has identified and developed numerous academic library leaders who have gone on to distinguished careers. Over the years, more than 250 academic librarians have participated in this highly prestigious program.
Scheduled every two years, this program combines management perspectives, strategic thinking and practical and theoretical approaches to the issues confronting academic institutions and their libraries. The next UCLA Library Senior Fellows will be held July 13-31, 2026 (July 13-17 remote and July 20-31 at UCLA).
The program receives generous administrative support from UCLA Library.
For questions on how to submit nominations, please email Lilia Valdez, chief of staff and director of Library Human Resources, at liliavaldez@library.ucla.edu.
Program Faculty
Co-Directors
- lorraine j. haricombe, vice provost and director emerita of the University of Texas Libraries (retired)
- Mark A. Puente, associate dean for organizational development at Purdue University
Prior Faculty
- Christine Borgman, distinguished research professor of information studies, UCLA
- Charles Henry, president, Council on Library and Information Resources
- Mary Lee Kennedy, executive director, Association of Research Libraries
- Clifford Lynch, executive director, Coalition for Networked Information (CNI)
- Jeff MacKie-Mason, university librarian and chief digital scholarship officer, UC Berkeley
- Mark A. Puente, associate dean for organizational development, inclusion and diversity, Purdue University Libraries
- Roger C. Schonfeld, vice president of organizational strategy, Ithaka S+R
- Janice Welburn, a prominent academic leader and dean Marquette University Libraries; former director Library Senior Fellows Program (2024)
- Melissa Woo, executive vice president for administration and chief information officer, Michigan State University
Program Cohorts
From its beginnings in 1982, the UCLA Library Senior Fellows Program has attracted the profession's best and brightest. Drawn from across the United States and Canada, the Program's participants are a rich and varied group, reflecting a broad range of academic library organizations and librarians.
See our past Senior Fellows cohorts(opens in a new tab) (PDF).
Location and Accommodations
The Senior Fellows program is held on the UCLA campus, with all classes located in the Charles E. Young Research Library. Fellows can participate in a wide variety of cultural and entertainment opportunities in the Los Angeles area, including world-class dining, theater, beaches, mountains and more.
Fellows will be housed at The Inn at UCLA(opens in a new tab). The Inn offers rooms that are accessible to people with disabilities, and the Research Library is also ADA-compliant. Please note that UCLA is a completely tobacco-free campus.
Application and Fees
Individuals wishing to participate may be nominated by a colleague or self-nominated. Once those nominated by a colleague confirm their intent to apply, they will be directed to the application. Self-nominees may submit their applications directly using this form(opens in a new tab). All applicants will be required to include a letter of support from their University Librarian, Dean or Director.
If accepted, fellows are required to pay a program fee of $9,500, which covers all program sessions (including excursions), lodging on campus and some meals.
Deadlines:
- Nominations due: January 12, 2026
- Applications due: January 30, 2026
- Notifications of decisions: February 2026
