Supporting early career academic librarians: A scoping review of research literature on early career professional development initiatives

Objective: This scoping review aims to identify how academic libraries in the United States and Canada have supported early career academic librarians through professional development interventions. Methods: To locate relevant literature, the team utilized bibliographic database searching and grey literature searching procedures. Databases searched include Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), Library Literature and Information Science (LLIS) Full Text (EBSCO), Library, Information Science, and Technology Abstracts with Full Text (EBSCO), ERIC (EBSCO), Education Research Complete (EBSCO), PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and ProQuest's Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest). The team also employed hand searching of relevant journals and targeted web searching. Study eligibility was assessed using pre-identified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction was performed via Covidence, and the team utilized qualitative coding to identify major themes. Results: 64 relevant articles, book chapters, posters, and blog posts were included. These articles discuss five types of professional development interventions for early-career librarians: residency programs (n = 26), mentoring (n = 21), workshops (n = 7), conference attendance and networking (n = 1) and on-the-job training (n = 2) A sixth category labeled “Other” (n = 7) was included to reflect evidence that discusses multiple interventions. Conclusion: Early career academic librarians are involved in professional development activities as participants and organizers of activities. Included evidence illustrates that existing professional development activities are often flexible, incorporating multiple activity types and topics. Definitions of “early career” varied within the included evidence, and identified barriers to professional development activities overwhelmingly point to weaknesses in the overall structure and administration of activities.