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Missing the Middle

@missingthemiddle.bsky.social

A project exploring the systemic challenges facing mid-career academic librarians and convening a forum to help disrupt them. Account managed by @hedgielib and @sappnelson. IMLS Grant #RE-260525-OLS-26. Opinions only of the investigators.

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Missing the Middle @missingthemiddle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services RE-260525-OLS-26.

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Missing the Middle @missingthemiddle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

We’re grateful for IMLS to have given us this opportunity and to the IMLS staff, including former IMLS program officer – Ashley Sands, for their support and feedback through the grant application process.

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Missing the Middle @missingthemiddle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

In our tenth year collaborating together, we are so excited for this opportunity to dive into highlighting the Missing Middle colleagues and peers.

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Missing the Middle @missingthemiddle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

We will then convene an interdisciplinary forum to identify recommendations and next steps for academic libraries and professional organizations to better support mid-career librarians.

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Missing the Middle @missingthemiddle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Through this project we will undertake a scoping review and focus groups to map the landscape of issues and potential mechanisms of action.

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Missing the Middle @missingthemiddle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Over the next two years, we will be partnering to examine the systemic challenges facing mid-career academic librarians, culminating in a forum to help name these documented challenges and identify ways to disrupt them.

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Missing the Middle @missingthemiddle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

@sappnelson.bsky.social and @hedgielib.bsky.social are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a $187,554 two-year Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grant from IMLS to conduct Missing the Middle: Identifying Structural Issues Facing Mid-Career Librarians.

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