General information

LITA Applicants for the ALA Emerging Leaders Program

It’s time to apply to the ALA 2008 Emerging Leaders program.

What Is the Emerging Leaders Program?
Emerging Leaders began in 2007 and ALA has committed to making this program available annually. The Emerging Leaders program enables 120 new librarians to get on the fast track to ALA and professional leadership. To find out how you can participate in Emerging Leaders ’08 review the information below.

How Are Emerging Leaders Chosen?
Applications for the 2008 Emerging Leaders program are now available and the deadline for submission will be: August 15, 2007. 60 open application candidates and 60 sponsored candidates will be chosen, for a total of up to 120 participants. Every effort will be made to get representation by type of library, geography, and diversity. Requirements for applicants include:
1) ALA member, and
2) Young (under 35 years) or new librarians of any age with fewer than 5 years post-MLS experience, and
3) Recent MLS degree from an ALA or NCATE accredited program or in an MLS program currently, and
4) Able to attend both ALA conferences and work virtually in between, and
5) Ready to commit to serve on an ALA, Division, Chapter, or Round Table committee, taskforce or workgroup upon completion of program.

For information on proposed activities for the new crop of 2008 Emerging Leaders check the wiki at:
http://wikis.ala.org/emergingleaders/index.php/2008_Emerging_Leaders_Program_Information

Start your application process at:
http://cs.ala.org/hrdr/emergingleaders/

On the application form, at the Sponsorships: section, make sure you designate Library and Information Technology Association (LITA). A copy of your application will be automatically forwarded to LITA for consideration as a LITA sponsored Emerging Leader. Plus LITA can then track all LITA applicants to the program.

Again the deadline for submission will be: August 15, 2007.

The LITA Board of Directors, in its support of the initiative, has voted to sponsor one of our members who are accepted into the program. LITA is committed to membership development and this initiative to support new leaders in our profession. The selected LITA participant will join other ALA members and attend Emerging Leaders meetings in Philadelphia and Anaheim. Contingent upon the member’s acceptance to the Emerging Leaders 2007 program, LITA will provide one member with a $500 stipend for travel to each of the 2008 conferences, for a total of $1000 in stipend money.
LITA sponsorship is not required for application, but it will give you some preference in the selection process.

Mark Beatty
LITA President