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Registration for SILS international programs opens
Dec. 14, 2004 — Interested in studying abroad? Registration is open for the School of Information and Library Science's summer seminar in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Registration for Prague, Czech Republic, and Oxford, England, has closed. The seminars can either be taken for academic credit or on a non-credit basis.
Dr. Barbara Moran, director of international programs, said the seminars offer tremendous opportunities to both students and practitioners.
“Participants learn first hand about libraries and library service in a different culture. They are able to gain a global perspective on issues facing libraries across the world and come to appreciate that librarians everywhere are linked in a global community of information provision,” Moran said.
SILS has partnered with the University of Oxford to offer the opportunity to study libraries and librarianship in Great Britain at the world-renowned Bodleian Library from May 15 – 28, 2005. Participants will also tour of Oxford University Press, The British Library and Blackwell's Bookshops. Baker and Taylor Inc. are offering an award that covers the cost of the seminar for one SILS graduate student. The application deadline is Feb. 4.
“The Oxford University Librarians direct a program that provides an excellent snapshot of British Libraries as a whole and Oxford University Library System libraries in particular,” said Gail Egbers, an instructional librarian and associate professor at Pacific Lutheran University, who attended the seminar last year. “I loved the librarians, loved Oxford; it was a great experience.”
Or choose to study in the Czech Republic from May 29 – June 12, 2005, and see the libraries and facilities at central Europe's oldest university, Charles University, which was founded in 1348. The lectures provide a broad overview of libraries across the Czech Republic and will be supplemented with tours of libraries and other cultural institutions in Prague and other parts of the Czech Republic.
“Our gracious hosts from Charles University created an amazing program, and we were all indebted to their generosity when the seminar ended. Friendships were forged with fellow library students nationally and internationally,” said one past Prague seminar participant. “Visiting Prague's libraries is a terrific opportunity that anyone who is interested should not let pass by.”
The Slovenia seminar will be held from June 5 – 18, 2005, and this year will mark the first time SILS has partnered with the University of Ljubljana's Department of Library Science, Information Science and Book Studies to offer the seminar. However, Dr. Jerry D. Saye, who is leading the seminar, has been to Slovenia nine times since 1999. In 2003 Saye was a Fulbright scholar in Slovenia and taught at the University of Ljubljana.
“I was able to teach all my courses in English without any problems for me or my students. The educational system of Slovenia is like that of most European nations,” said Saye. “It has a well-developed traditional of library service and, in fact, has a national online catalog for all libraries in the country.”
All registrations must be received by Feb. 28, 2005. The registration process is first-come, first-served, so act quickly to reserve your spot! Visit the international programs page for more details.