The State Library recently received a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The grant will be used to implement ILEAD U (Illinois Libraries Explore, Apply and Discover)–the 21st Century Technology Tools Institute for Illinois Library Staff.

The ILEAD U Steering Committee is seeking participants, mentors and instructors to implement Web technologies that foster community participation and develop leadership, innovation and positive change. ILEAD U will encourage both the experimentation with and building of participatory Web services and programs. The primary goal of this project is to help library staff understand and respond to user needs through the application of participatory technology tools. ILEAD U is designed in part on the State Library’s hugely popular Synergy Library Leadership Institute.

Like Synergy, ILEAD U will involve three in-person seminars to be held February 23-25, 2010; June 15-17, 2010; and October 26-28, 2010. These sessions will be held at the University of Illinois/Springfield. There will be additional mandatory virtual meetings.

Participants will be part of five member teams. If you wish to be a participant in one of the five member teams, complete the application package to be postmarked by October 30, 2009. If you are accepted you will be notified by December 18, 2009.

If you wish to be a mentor and/or instructor, complete the application package to be postmarked by October 16, 2009. If you are accepted you will be notified by November 13, 2009.

Application forms and other information are located on WJIL. For more information contact Gwen Harrison or Connie Frankenfeld.