Emerging Leaders 2007

LITA has announced its support of the Emerging Leaders 2007 initiative.

ALA President Leslie Burger announced the new Emerging Leaders Program to prepare 100 librarians new to the profession in leadership skills that are applicable on the job and as active leaders within the association. Full information about the program may be found at ( http://lb.princetonlibrary.org/emerging_leaders.html ).

Emerging Leaders 2007 will select and train 100 new librarians to get a jump-start in leadership. The initiative will kick off with a day-long session during the 2007 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle , Wash. , and it will grow and develop virtually for six months, culminating at the 2007 Annual Conference in Washington , D.C.

"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," said LITA President Bonnie Postlethwaite. "LITA is committed to membership development and this initiative offers valuable support for new leaders in our profession."

The selected LITA participant will join other ALA members and attend Emerging Leaders meetings in Seattle and Washington , D.C. 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 conference.

Interested individuals must meet the following criteria:

• a current LITA member
• no older than 35 OR have no more than five years of post-MLS library experience
• able to meet the obligations that Leslie outlined on the website including attendance at the two 2007 ALA conferences and willingness to serve LITA for 2 years

Applicants wishing to seek financial sponsorship from LITA should send the following items via email to Bonnie Postlethwaite, postlethwaiteb@umkc.edu , no later than September 15. Applicants will be notified by September 22 and will be asked to submit the application to Leslie Burger by September 30.

LITA sponsorship application items include:

• A list of LITA or ALA activities (no more than five, if applicable)
• Participation in state, regional or other library associations (no more than five, if applicable)
• Three ways you have demonstrated leadership potential (500 words or less)

LITA sponsorship is not required for application, but it will give you preference in the selection process.

More information about the Emerging Leader 2007 initiative and instructions on submitting an application can be found at Leslie Burger's Web site: http://lb.princetonlibrary.org/emerging_leaders.html .

Bonnie Postlethwaite
LITA President
postlethwaiteb@umkc.edu