Making Your Case

Karen T. Wei“Think Globally, Act Globally” Grant Project Open Session

ALA, Chicago, July 10, 2009

Outlines

Who may apply What is needed in your application

package How to make a successful application Review process Making decisions

Who May Apply? An ALA-accredited MLS degree or its

equivalent; Experience in presentation skills; A minimum of three years of post MLS

professional working experience in a field of library services in the U.S. preferred;

Experience with public services or public library experience preferred;

CALA membership preferred; CALA members will be given first priority

What is Needed in Your Application

Cover letter, including a statement of your expertise in terms of the needed topics provided by LSC

Current resume Examples of previous and/or

relevant presentations

Making a Successful Application

Follow the “Call for Presenters” announcement carefully

Make sure you include all requested information

Apply on or before the deadline

Your Cover Letter Tell us about your present job State your qualifications Address the topics in relation to your

qualifications/experience Emphasize the training you have which

makes you particularly suitable for the topic(s) you choose

Tell us why you are a good presenter for the project

Workshop Topics Laws, policies, and strategic plans of U.S. libraries Library management and operational mechanism Public library services Library assessment and librarians professional

development, promotion and evaluation system Public relations activities and their values Academic libraries, special libraries, library

education, and professional organizations in the U.S.

Useful Tips

Brevity – write only what’s important and relevant; avoid lengthy sentences or statements

Clarity – is essential, no ambiguity, and avoid using acronyms without explanation

Highlight your experiences that are pertinent to the topics

Prioritize the topics Keep your cover letter within 3 pages

Review Process

CALA International Relations Committee

IMLS “Think Globally, Act Globally” Steering Committee

IMLS Think Globally, Act Globally Steering Committee

University of Illinois Asian Library– Shuyong Jiang – Project Director, PI– Karen Wei – Head, Asian Library, Co-PI

University of Illinois Mortenson Center for International Library Programs– Barbara Ford – Director , Co-PI– Susan Schnuer – Associate Director, Co-PI

Chinese American Librarians Association– Haipeng Li – Interim Executive Director– Sha Li Zhang – President, 2008-2009

Thank You!!

Questions?