Program application is closed!
If you have any questions, please get in touch with [email protected].
ABAA Diversity Discovery Program
The ABAA Diversity Initiative is proud to announce our guided program for individuals seeking to pursue a career in the antiquarian and rare book trade. Designed to coincide with the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, the program offers stipends of up to $2,500 to two individuals. It provides an intensive introduction to the antiquarian book business via engagement with the fair, career insights with ABAA members, visits to local ABAA member shops and offices, networking with institutional professionals, and more. An ABAA member will guide students through an itinerary of trade-related activities over the course of five days.
Application Prerequisites
- Minimum requirement of a high school diploma, OR currently enrolled student in any degree program (undergraduate, Master's, PhD), OR recent graduate (< 1-year post-grad).
- Applicants must be passionate about books, archival/library sciences, and/or bookselling.
- Applicants must be able to travel and arrange their transportation and accommodation.
Read about the experiences of our previous program participants!
Fall 2024
Fall 2025
The program extends its sincere gratitude to the following libraries, private collectors, ABAA member firms, and exhibitors who generously welcomed our participants. Their time, expertise, and hospitality were vital to making this year’s Discovery Program a meaningful and memorable experience.
- Curators of BOSTON ATHENÆUM
- Curators and Cataloguers of the Boston Public Library-Special Collections
- Curators of Houghton Library
- Curators Schlesinger Library
- Alexandra (Allie) Alvis, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
- Lisa Baskin
- Scott DeWolfe, DeWolfe & Wood Rare Books
- Alan Klein
- Sandy Neubauer
- Brattle Book Shop
- Bernett Rare Books
- Bromer Booksellers
- Bryn Mawr Bookstore
- Philip Salmon & Company Rare Books
- Exhibitors of ABAA Boston Book Fair
- Duane Stevens, Wiggins Fine Books & Books in Boston exhibitors