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?