Announcing the Lifelong Access Libraries™ Institute 2006

July 30-August 4, 2006
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Selection Process  Application Guidelines

Note: the application deadline for the 2006 Institute has passed. Stay tuned for an announcement of our first group of Fellows in early May.

The Lifelong Access Libraries Institute will introduce participants to Lifelong Access, a new framework for working with active older active adults that promotes productive aging through learning and civic engagement. Lifelong Access regards older adults as resources for their communities and offers an alternative to the predominant deficit-based model of aging.

The Institute will focus on three primary areas:

1. Concepts and research underlying new approaches to working with midlife and older adults;

2. Promising practices in library services, including the Lifelong Access framework for new older adult services; and

3. Leadership and skills in community librarianship.

The Institute is based on the principle of “action learning,” in which the acquired skills and knowledge are put to practical use at libraries over a sustained period of time. Candidates should be prepared to help in the dissemination, testing and refining of the Lifelong Access Libraries model in their local libraries. Fellows will be linked electronically in a national community of practice based on information exchange and communications.

Selection of Fellows

Fellows will be selected by a panel of national advisors and ALC staff. Applicants should be mid-career practicing librarians and need a letter of recommendation from their library director expressing a commitment to improve library services and resources for midlife and active older adults. Applicants will be evaluated in part on the basis of:

• Evidence of success in the design and implementation of new programs and services;

• Experience in building collaborations and working successfully in partnerships with community organizations, groups, or agencies;
  

• Enthusiasm for becoming an active member of the Lifelong Access community of practice and a commitment to sharing experiences and insights through the online Lifelong Access network;
  
• Readiness to make presentations at library conferences and to contribute written materials to professional literature.  

Application Guidelines

Applications may be obtained online here, or by calling the offices of Americans for Libraries Council at 646.336.6236. 

You may mail or fax your completed application with a letter of support from your library director. Selection will be on a competitive basis. Fellows’ travel, tuition, room and board for the Institute will covered by ALC.  A limited number of qualified candidates not selected as Fellows may participate at cost.

The application deadline is April 15, 2006.  Please contact Hali Brindel for further details at hbrindel@lff.org, or 646.336.6846.