Illinois State Library

2008 INSTITUTE FOR SCHOOL & PUBLIC LIBRARIANS
JUNE 8-13, 2008

Applications are being accepted for the 14th annual Institute for School and Public Librarians (ISPL). This week of library related educational activities will be held Sunday, June 8 - Friday, June 13, 2008 on the campus of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

WHY SHOULD I ATTEND?

This Institute is an educational, information rich, and intense week. Programs focus on basic skills and knowledge needed by school and public librarians to serve patrons and students including reference, collection development, dealing with different personality types, technology issues and trends, grant writing, developing effective patron programming and more. ISPL offers opportunities to gather knowledge and develop job-related skills that will enhance the attendees' abilities to provide better library services for their patrons/students.

Program themes run through the week and learning builds on previous presentations and activities. Past participants have praised ISPL for providing networking opportunities, knowledgeable speakers, abundant handouts, valuable ideas, and practical information that can be put to immediate use.

Attendees stay on the Bradley University campus, attend all programs and participate in all activities. Bradley University will award Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs) to all participants.

Applicants must be available all week, and are expected to participate in all programs. Those attending should plan to arrive in Peoria 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 10. ISPL will end 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 15.

WH0 SHOULD ATTEND?

ISPL is most appropriate for school and public librarians who would like to develop their knowledge and job related skills to provide quality library services for the students or patrons served by their library. To gain the most from ISPL, consider the following:

• Applicants should be responsible for a variety of library duties including activities that focus on services to patrons/students.
• Applicants may be fairly new to the library field, have been in their current job position for less than five years, or feel they need basic library skills training and to be energized.
• Applicants without a Master of Library Science Degree are given priority, but applications are also considered from library school graduates.

Participants must be available all week, and are expected to partake in all activities. Plan to arrive in Peoria 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. ISPL ends 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 13.

WHAT IS THE COST?

There is a $50 registration fee. Upon acceptance to attend, directions will be provided for making payment. Educational resources, abundant handouts, lodging, and all meals will be provided through a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, which supports the majority of the ISPL activities.

HOW DO I APPLY? ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED!

To apply, complete the Application to Attend Attendance is limited to 50 participants. Applicants will be notified of acceptance in early April 2008.

If you have questions, contact the Library Development Group (Consulting) at the Illinois State Library 1-800-665-5576 x1.

THE PURPOSE OF ISPL:

This institute supports the LSTA goal of expanding services for learning and access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages.

The intent of ISPL is to address Goal 1: to position Illinois libraries as the education anchor of the community, by providing opportunities that support information fluency and lifelong learning to address the diverse needs of Illinois residents.