Pathways to Leadership Scholarship Program

Pathways to Leadership (PTL) is a scholarship program designed to support existing library staff who aspire to become librarians and leaders in the library and information science field. 

In the summer of 2020, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) held discussions on how the institution can best support staff and patrons alike. Over 800 staff members participated; many urged BPL to create innovative paths for education and employment, especially for non-librarian employees. BPL has long offered tuition reimbursement for staff pursuing higher and continuing education. But staff called for more sustainable pathways to career and educational progression that did not rely on a reimbursement model, itself still a major barrier for those who could not cover the cost of a degree up front. An internal committee of staff from various parts of the organization formed to distill observations and calls to action; deliver a report to the Board of Trustees; and identify the next steps, including building and seeking funding for an internal scholarship program, Pathways to Leadership (PTL). 

PTL is designed to remove as many barriers to access as possible, providing participants with a financial scholarship, mentoring, shadowing, individualized academic and career coaching, and additional professional learning opportunities. In 2025, after hearing from many staff about ongoing barriers to their ability to pursue MLIS degrees, PTL funding was extended to support staff completing Bachelor's degrees with the goal of eventually pursuing MLIS degrees.  

Program Goals: 

• Build pathways to librarianship and leadership for non-librarian BPL staff
• Ensure librarians and leaders are representative of, and prepared to serve, our communities
• Create a framework and resources that other library systems and associations can use to support and develop aspiring librarians and leaders

PTL is made possible by Susan & David Marcinek, Andrea Bozzo & John Martinez, Nina Collins, Goldhirsh Foundation, Betty Kahn, Marguerite Casey Foundation, the Henlopen Foundation, Miriam Katowitz, Kathy Weil, Sandra & Peter Schubert, Leslie Feder & Garrick Leonard and Amol Naik. PTL is also made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant #RE-254917-OLS-23