FAQ
What is LIS?
What is LAMP?
Where can I find material to apply?
When is the deadline for the application?
What does the application entail?
What are the phone interviews like?
Can I apply even if I don't go to one of the schools in the alliance?
Does it matter which of the LAMP partner schools I attend?
Do my undergraduate studies have to be in library and information science?
What is the amount of the fellowship?
How many scholars are currently in the program?
How many scholars will be selected for 2008?
What is the summer institute?
Do I have to attend the summer institute?
How much does it cost to attend the summer institute?
What are the benefits for scholars other than the summer institute?
As a LAMP Mentor, how do I begin mentoring?
How do I initiate contact?
How often should I be in contact with my Mentee?
Is the Mentoring relationship based on the Mentee asking for help?
What if the relationship is non-productive?
How long does the Mentor relationship last?
Will I have further contact with the LAMP Committee after the Summer Institute?
How can I get in touch with LAMP staff?
LIS stands for Library and
Information
Science, the study of librarianship and dissemination of
information. A Master's degree from a LIS program at a school
accredited by the
American Library Association is required for most upper
level library and information-based jobs.
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What is LAMP?
LAMP (LIS Access Midwest Program) is a regional alliance of 10 Midwest universities and their libraries that encourages students from historically underrepresented groups to enter the field of library and information science. The program offers students a number of opportunities to increase their awareness of the LIS field. LAMP provides students with mentoring, internships, and financial assistance in the form of fellowships once the student is admitted to one of the schools in the alliance.
Where can I find material to apply?
The application deadline for 2008 has
passed. Check back for information regarding applications for
upcoming years.
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When is the deadline for the application?
The final day applications will
be
accepted is February 29, 2008.
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What does the application entail?
The application consists of a
series of
standard
questions with a short essay section. Applicants are also
required to submit one letter of recommendation. In addition,
applicants may be asked to complete a phone interview with LAMP
selection committee members.
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What are the phone interviews like?
The phone interview is a brief
chance
for the selection committee to get to know you. The phone interview
is given in place of a face-to-face interview to save applicants the
hassle of traveling, so consider it the way you would a face-to-face
interview.
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Can I apply even if I don't go to one of the schools in the alliance?
Students from any school in the
region
may apply. LAMP is open to all students provided they complete
their graduate studies at one of our partner schools.
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Does it matter which of the LAMP partner schools I attend?
Scholars may choose to apply to any of the partner schools and attend whichever one they choose. No preference is given to applicants based on which school they choose to attend.Back to top
Do my undergraduate studies have to be in library and information science?
LAMP welcomes students from any
academic background! LIS is interdisciplinary field made up of a
cornucopia of different
scholars from
all fields of study. The important thing is that you want to
study LIS in the future.
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What is the amount
of the fellowship?
Scholars will receive up to $20,000 as part of the LAMP fellowship.
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How many scholars are currently in the program?
There are currently nine scholars
in
the program but the number selected each year varies.
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How many scholars
will be selected for 2008?
Eleven scholars will be chosen for 2008.
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What is the summer institute?
The summer institute is an
opportunity
for scholars to interact with professionals and prominent names in the
field. It is a chance to meet
other scholars over a three-day retreat at one of our partner
schools. A number of LIS topics are covered ranging from preparation
for graduate studies to librarianship career exploration. The
institute includes a graduate fair where the students have face time
with schools they may apply to so the scholars may talk to
recruitment officers face to face.
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Do I have to attend the summer institute?
The summer institute is required
of all
scholars but exceptions due to extenuating circumstances are made on a
case-by-case basis. Keep in mind that attendance of the institute
is fully funded by LAMP.
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How much does it cost to attend the summer institute?
LAMP covers costs of travel, food, and
lodging for scholars.
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What are the benefits for scholars other than the summer institute?
Once or twice during each
semester, LAMP
will offer students a chance to “attend” a lecture online via
Moodle. This involves scholars and the speaker gathering in a
chatroom on Moodle while the speaker's audio lecture is broadcast to
students online. These sessions may be anything from a big name
in LIS speaking about their experiences to admissions experts
discussing how to apply to grad school.
Scholars will be assigned mentors who they will interact with throughout their studies. Mentors offer students a perspective on LIS from an active professional in the field. They also aid scholars in choosing which classes to take and how best to specialize their education based on their personal goals.
Scholars are offered the
opportunity to
engage in a summer internship at one of the libraries within the LAMP
partnership. This internship gives scholars a head start in the
LIS field and offers them a first hand view of the field.
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As a LAMP Mentor, how do I begin mentoring?
A member of the LAMP Committee will contact the prospective mentor
and
mentee with details of their proposed partner. The mentor then
initiates contact.
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How do I initiate contact?
It is important to clarify where you will meet, when, for how long,
and
why. It is important to get to know each other a little and
negotiate how you will relate and what you want the outcomes of the
relationship to be.
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How often should I be in contact with my Mentee?
This varies with the needs of the mentee and the extent of the
mentor's
input. Initially you could set up short meetings or conversations
quite frequently to get off to a good start and later meet less
regularly or more frequently as required or via other means of
communication. Mentors, especially, should remember the importance of
follow-up meetings.
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Is the Mentoring relationship based on the Mentee asking for help?
Yes, but not completely. Mentors need to take their commitment
seriously and be prepared to initiate meetings in the absence of
particular problems. The mentoring relationship should not be
just emergency support (although it can be this).
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What if the relationship is non-productive?
For a variety of personal and professional reasons, a mentoring
partnership may not seem to be productive. The relationship
depends on trust and honesty so both parties need to be honest and
acknowledge that the relationship isn't what they expected. If
either or both parties feel this to be the case, they should contact
the LAMP Committee so that other arrangements can be made.
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How long does the Mentor relationship last?
The relationship lasts as long as it is agreed by both
parties.
The LAMP Committee will oversee involvement for the duration of the
LAMP Scholars program.
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Will I have further contact with the LAMP Committee after the Summer Institute?
Yes. The LAMP Committee intends to conduct annual meetings for all
those involved in the scheme. We will also contact you in order
to evaluate the program.
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How can I get in touch with LAMP staff?
Yes, you may contact Amani Ayad
at
(217) 265-6416.
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