Mortenson Center Associates Program

Transforming Libraries: New Roles and Impact

A Professional Development and Leadership Program for Library and Information Science (LIS) Professionals

June 3 – 26, 2024


The 2024 Mortenson Center Associates Program will offer individuals working in a library and/or information services setting outside the United States an opportunity to explore critical issues and trends in the library field and engage with librarians implementing cutting-edge programs and services.
2022 Associates Cohort.

Transforming Libraries: New Roles and Impact – A Professional Development and Leadership Program for Library and Information Science (LIS) Professionals will engage participants in learning about novel and inventive practices and services in areas such as:

  • User-centered Services
  • Sustainable Development
  • Emerging Trends and Technologies
  • Leadership, Communication and Managing Change
  • Library Assessment and Impact
  • Digital and Print Collections and Repositories
  • Multiple literacies
  • International Professional Networking


Accepting Applications for the 2024 Mortenson Associates Program

For more information and to apply, please download the and see below for more information.

NOTE: Please attach all the applications materials in a single email, including the application form in or  or format.

  • Information Session | 17 October 2023; 7:00am CT (Chicago)  [To find your local time for this information session, visit www.worldtimebuddy.com]
    Join us online to learn about the 2024 program and meet past Associates.


Program Highlights
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2024 Program Highlights

Download the here

  • Seminars and Workshops which provide an overview of current trends in the field. Library experts will be invited to share their perspectives, offer expertise, and foster conversations on the themes of communication and leadership. in order to transform libraries, which are evidence-based, sustainable and user-centered.
  • Tours of a variety of libraries, including academic, public, and school libraries. We may also visit the American Library Association headquarters in Chicago, Illinois and other sites of interest.
  • Networking with dynamic group of international colleagues during and post-program.
  • Participants will develop individual action plans, appropriate to their professional and institutional needs, and will receive post-program implementation review.
  • Each participant will receive a Certificate of Program Participation upon completion.
  • Scheduling to allow participants to attend the Annual Meeting of the American Library Association (ALA), if they wish.
  • The 2024 ALA Annual Conference will be in San Diego, June 27-July 2, 2024. Arrangements and registration for the conference must be made separately and are not included in program costs.
Dates and Deadlines
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Program Dates

Program activities will begin on 3 June 2024. The last day of program activities will be 26 June 2024.

8 December 2023: Application Deadline

All application materials must be submitted by 8 December 2023, including a fully completed application and 3 supplementary documents.

11 January 2024: Notification of Application Status

All applicants will be notified of application status by 11 January 2024 (end of business CST). Applicants accepted to the Mortenson Center Associates Program must send a non-refundable $USD 200.00 deposit by 15 February 2024 in order to hold their place in the program. Payment instructions will be provided upon acceptance or after 11 January 2024.

15 February 2024: Deposit Payment Due

$USD 200.00 Deposit Due (all deposit payments are non-refundable)

1 April 2024: Remaining Balance Payment Due

Remaining Balance Due

Application Form & Requirements
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Application Requirements

  • Application (typed and signed) must be submitted in English along with the 3 supporting documents in order to be considered.
  • Applicants must secure adequate funding to support a stay at the Mortenson Center in order to be accepted into the program.
  • This program is delivered in English only. Participants should be fluent in conversational English and possess a reading knowledge of English.

Application Form

Applications are open for the 2024 Mortenson Associates Program. We invite your applications and encourage interested participants to submit questions to mortenson@illinois.edu.

Download Application Form HERE:

Program Cost
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Program Costs

The cost for the 2024 Mortenson Associates Program is $4,000 USD.

Program costs are paid prior to the program’s start date and include:

  • Housing (student-style accommodations while on campus and hotel accommodations while on out-of-town excursions)
  • Partial meals
  • Local transportation
  • Programming costs
  • Speaker fees
  • Medical insurance
  • Other materials and logistics

The program cost does not include visa application, airfare and/or ground transportation costs to and from Champaign-Urbana.  These arrangements must be funded and arranged by individual participants.

Applicants accepted by the Mortenson Center must send a $200 USD deposit in order to hold their place in the program. This non-refundable deposit will be deducted from your program fees.

Payment Deadlines

  • 15 February 2024 – $200 USD – Deposit Due (all deposit payments are non-refundable)
  • 1 April 2024 – Remaining Balance Due

Payment instructions will be provided to participants upon notification of acceptance, on or after 11 January 2024.

Funding Opportunity: Naseej Academy Grant
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Grant for professionals working in the Arab World

Application deadline for the 2024 Naseej Academy Grant: TBA


The Naseej Academy Grant to Attend the Mortenson Center Associates Program was developed to support the region’s knowledge community by sponsoring a professional working in the field of libraries, information centers and archival institutions in the Arab World, to attend the Mortenson Center Associates Program.

The Mortenson Center has engaged in this grant program from its inception in 2017. Read more about the Grant and past recipients by clicking here.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions - Coming Soon!
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Frequently Asked Questions – Coming Soon!

Curious about what it’s like to be an Associate? Explore below!



Mortenson Alumni (Associates and Leaders) over the years: