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Mortenson Center ProjectsThe Mortenson Center has participated in a wide variety of projects around the world. This list includes both current and past Mortenson Center projects.
Africa Addressing the Information Needs of Nigerian Researchers, Scholars, and Students: A Planning and Training Program for MacArthur Grantee University Libraries Dates: January 1, 2006 – December 31, 2008 Objectives: To provide users of university libraries with better access to research and information materials, either in print or electronic format.Outcomes: The project is intended to strengthen university libraries so that they can contribute to the development of robust research universities in Nigeria. Predicted outcomes for the project include
Award: $303,000 from the MacArthur Foundation Africa Developing an Automated and Dynamic Library Environment: A Planning, Training, and Implementation Program for Carnegie Grantee University Libraries Dates: January 1, 2005 – March 31, 2008 Objectives: Assist librarians from seven Carnegie grantee institutions in East and West Africa to move into a fully developed, automated online catalog environment and a computer-based library management system that will better serve the research and learning needs of their users. Outcome: All seven institutions will make measurable progress toward the implementation of a fully automated online library catalog and library management system. Award: $500,000 from the Carnegie Corporation U.S. and the World Thinking Outside the Borders: Library Leadership in a World Community Dates: October 2004 – September 2007 Objectives: Develop an international library leadership institute focused on negotiations, empowerment, fund-raising, and advocacy issues. Bring together mid-career librarians from Illinois, Arizona, and Nebraska with librarians from other countries to address issues of concern such as preservation and technology to improve and enhance skills and their ability to work with colleagues from other countries and cultures in addressing common challenges. Outcome: Participants will develop strategies for communicating with colleagues around the world. Also, at the end of the project, a leadership institute kit will be available for others to use. Partner: Illinois State Library Award: $500,000 for a National Leadership Grant to the Illinois State Library and Mortenson Center from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services Website: http://findit.sos.state.il.us/borders/index.htm
89 Countries Professional Development Program at the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs Dates: August 1991 – present Objectives: To provide a professional development program for visiting librarians that exposes them to current trends in librarianship and best practices in the field. All participants receive intensive training in the use of new technologies. Many attend conferences and participate in host visits to libraries across Illinois. Outcomes: Over 700 librarians from 89 countries have participated in Mortenson Center programs. The Center welcomes all types of librarians and has had academic, public, school, and corporate librarians, among others. Participants in the program have returned to their home countries to contribute actively to the leadership of their library or in the field of librarianship. Many have gone on to become directors. Partners: Association of Information Specialists, Tbilisi, Georgia; Center for Professional Development of Librarians in Central America, University of Costa Rica; Luis Angel Arango Library of the Banco de la República, Bogotá, Colombia; Illinois State Library, Springfield, Illinois; Japan Association of National University Libraries (JANUL); Japan Association of Private University Libraries (JASPUL), Tokyo, Japan; Library and Information Association of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa; Training Center “Rudomino School,” All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature, Moscow, Russia. Funding Sources: Open Society Institute-Network Library Program; Freedom Support Act - Muskie Fellows; Fulbright program; Luis Angel Arango Library of the Banco de la República, Bogotá, Colombia; Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations; JANUL; JASPUL.
Japan Short-Term Visits Dates: October 25–27, 2004, and October 24–27, 2005 Objectives: To provide continuing education for librarians from the Japan Association of Private University Libraries. Outcomes: Librarians from private universities in Japan spent one week at the Mortenson Center, with emphasis on academic libraries and user services. Partner: Japan Association of Private University Libraries Award: Program funded by the Japan Association of Private University Libraries
Nigeria Needs Assessment: Review of MacArthur Library Grantees' Needs in Nigeria Dates: January 1, 2005 – June 30, 2005 Objectives: Assess capabilities of the libraries of four MacArthur university grantees in Nigeria relating to the role of the library, level of technology, status of library automation, and staff training needs. Outcome: Observations from the trip will be analyzed and recorded in a report (Developing Strong University Libraries in Nigeria: A Report for the MacArthur Foundation). Award: $44,965 from the MacArthur Foundation
Africa Needs Assessment: Review of the Carnegie Library Grantees' Needs in Africa Dates: January 1, 2004 – April 1, 2004 Objectives: Assess capabilities of the libraries of seven Carnegie university grantees in Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda relating to technology, facilities, library services to users, and staff training needs. Outcomes: Mortenson Center staff visited seven grantees and prepared a report (Opportunities and Challenges for the Academic Libraries of Carnegie Grantees in East and West Africa) for the Carnegie Corporation on challenges and opportunities for the libraries and professional development needs and recommendations for librarians to create excellent libraries. Award: $42,600 from the Carnegie Corporation
South Africa The South African Library Leadership Project Dates: January 2001 – April 30, 2005 Objectives: To implement a leadership program for future library managers from public and academic libraries and to plan for a continuing education entity within the newly established Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA). Outcomes: Twenty-three academic, public, and school librarians participated in the program. Many have been promoted upon their return home; eight currently hold elected leadership positions in the library association. The continuing education entity was developed and implemented at LIASA and recently received a large award from the Carnegie Foundation to deliver professional development programs in South Africa. Partner: Library and Information Association of South Africa Funding: Two awards for a total of $300,000 from the Mellon Foundation
Georgia Library and Information Science Education and Library Development in Georgia Dates: November 6 – 14, 2004 Objectives: International advisory board to make recommendations concerning the continuing education structure for librarians and developing a school in information studies that would offer a master's level degree. Outcomes: The international advisory board met with university and government officials and prepared a report with recommendations concerning expanding and solidifying the continuing education structure and developing a school in information studies that would offer a master's level degree. Partner: Association of Information Specialists, Tbilisi, Georgia Award: United States Embassy funded travel costs.
Kenya Professional Development for Carnegie Grantees in Kenya Dates: July 1, 2003 – December 31, 2003 Objectives: To provide continuing education for public librarians from Kenya who work with the Carnegie Corporation program for revitalizing public libraries. Outcomes: Five librarians from the Kenya National Library Service spent eight weeks in a leadership and project management training program at the Mortenson Center, with emphasis on library advocacy, strategic planning, and technology. Participants returned home to work with Carnegie's program on revitalizing public libraries and to provide training to other Kenyan public librarians. Partner: Illinois State Library Award: $48,900 from the Carnegie Corporation
Russia University Librarian Training: Education Innovation Project Dates: May 2003 Objectives: Research and development of policies and practices that address the needs of Russian university libraries. Activities: Two-week training program at the University of Illinois for three subgroups of specialists:
Partner: American Councils for International Education Funding: $42,000
Haiti Professional Development Program for Haitian Librarians Dates: August 1997 – June 2003 Objectives: To work with a team of Haitian trainers to develop the framework of a network of community libraries in Haiti. To develop a training program for library workers in Haiti by training trainers. Outcomes: Nine Haitian library trainers participated in the program. There is now a newly built model library in Port-au-Prince. The community library network now includes 40 small rural libraries in Haiti. The trainers have given several training sessions to the library workers. Partner: Foundation Connaissance et Liberte (FOKAL) – Open Society Institute Funding: First grant of $36,250 from Open Society Institute – Library Network Program; second grant of $30,000 from FOKAL
Russia Russia Small Towns Project Dates: May 2001 – June 2002 Objectives: The project was designed to help Russian small-town libraries become vibrant information centers for their communities. Activities: In May 2001, 10 public library directors and culture officials visited the United States and met with university officials, mayors, city officials, and librarians in the state of Illinois. In January 2002, a group of 10 U.S. librarians and government officials visited small towns in Russia to participate in discussions and lectures with Russian colleagues. In June 2002, three Russian mayors visited Illinois to gain a better understanding of the role of a public library in civil society. Outcomes: This project highlighted libraries and their important contribution to the life of a town. Russian officials understood better the purpose of a strong library and the librarians were better able to articulate their needs and the needs of their users. Partner: Illinois State Library Funding: Multiple awards from Open Society Institute-Russia and the Illinois State Library
Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia Mortenson Center Training Fellowships Dates: February 2001 – August 2001 Objectives: To train specialists from the Open Society Institute-Network Library Program Training Center. Participants in the program focused on two main topics: intellectual freedom and open access to information in libraries and library management issues. Outcomes: Seven specialists from the training center attended the program. All returned home with prepared workshops and delivered the workshops to librarians in their countries. The librarians built a strong network and an electronic listserv, which is very active. Funding: $31,099 from Open Society Institute-Budapest
Russia Training for the 21st Century: Using the Internet to Facilitate Access to Information Dates: July 1998 – January 2000 Objectives: To prepare teams of librarians and computer specialists to provide training for users of university Internet centers and libraries. Outcomes: A total of 14 teams were trained (27 people) at the Mortenson Center. The teams delivered many “Access to the Internet” workshops upon their return home. Partner: Training Center “Rudomino School,” All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature Funding: $217,587 from Open Society Institute-Network Library Program
Central America A Bridge to the Future: A Continuing Professional Development Program for Librarians in Central America Dates: April 1997 – December 1999 Objectives: To provide a training-the-trainer program for librarians in four countries in Central America (Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua) who will develop a continuing education network for librarians in the four countries. To develop a continuing education regional administrative center at the University of Costa Rica, School of Library and Information Science. Outcomes: Six librarians participated in the training-the-trainer sessions at the Mortenson Center and returned home to hold four professional development seminars. The Continuing Education Center, CABCE, was established at the University of Costa Rica and has coordinated the provision of workshops in the region. Partner: University of Costa Rica Award: $246,000 from the Mellon Foundation
NIS Countries Leadership Training for Librarians from the NIS Dates: May 1994 – June 1996 Objectives: To prepare librarians from the NIS to train other librarians in the tools and technologies of librarianship, the development of leadership cadres for times of change, and library management. Outcomes: Fifty librarians from NIS countries attended a five-day training in Moscow, Russia, and gained skills in automation, fund-raising, electronic communication, and personnel management. The Rudomino School coordinated additional training once participants returned home to their countries. Two librarians attended a four-month program at the Mortenson Center and became trainers for other librarians in NIS countries. Partner: Training Center “Rudomino School,” All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature Funding: $50,000 from the Eurasia Foundation
Central America Leadership Development in Academic and Research Libraries in Central America Dates: October 1993 – December 1996 Objectives: To provide a leadership program for 10 academic librarians in four countries in Central America (Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua) that focused on partnerships and cooperation. To equip each participating library with a computer and Internet access. Outcomes: Ten librarians participated in the program and returned home with a computer to introduce new technologies into their libraries. Many of the librarians went on to become directors of their libraries. Award: $180,000 from the Mellon Foundation
Former Soviet Union Visits by Art Librarians From Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union Dates: August 1993 – December 1996 Objectives: To select participants from academic, research, art, and museum libraries in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe to attend a professional development program focused on highlighting the latest trends and electronic tools used in art libraries. Outcomes: Thirteen librarians participated in this project and improved their skills in the areas of service to the users, collection acquisitions and management, development of policies for art libraries, and professional association development. Funding: $146,500 from the Getty Grant Foundation |
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