Call for Applications for the Study Tour “Leipzig, Dresden, Weimar: Exploring a Library Landscape”

The Goethe-Institut New York, the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany, Public Affairs Section, and Bibliothek & Information International, in cooperation with the Western European Studies Section (WESS), are sponsoring a study tour to eastern Germany for WESS members, “Leipzig, Dresden, Weimar: Exploring a Library Landscape,” to take place March 16-23, 2006. Travel and hotel costs are covered, along with occasional group meals. Each participant will be required to make a $400 contribution toward expenses.

The study tour is intended to educate present and future leaders in German Studies librarianship about developments in librarianship, publishing, and culture in eastern Germany since unification and to make them aware of the unique resources available there. Through this experience, a further goal is to increase their competency in their subject specialty and offer them opportunities to establish contacts with colleagues at home and abroad.

Deutsche Bücherei Leipzig don clauso 2003

Visits to the Leipziger Buchmesse (March 16-19) and the 95th Bibliothekartag in Dresden (March 21-24) will anchor the tour. Participants will have the unique opportunity to meet with professionals from the publishing world and from the library and information scene; at the same time, participants will bring American expertise to professional discussions in Germany. During their stay, they will visit the Universitätsbibliothek and the Deutsche Bücherei in Leipzig; the Sächsische Landesbibliothek - Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek (SLUB) in Dresden; and the Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek in Weimar.

Sächsische Landesbibliothek – Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Dresden © Foto: Stefan Müller, Berlin

	Both experienced German Studies librarians, particularly those willing to present a paper at the Bibliothekartag in Dresden, and newer German Studies librarians are encouraged to apply, excepting those who participated in the 2002 WESS Study Tour organized by the Goethe-Institut.
Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek Weimar Rokokosaal

The WESS Executive Committee will select participants based upon the following qualifications:

Applicants must:

• Be WESS members.
• Hold a professional library position with a substantial component involving German Studies.
• Possess some knowledge of the German language.

Preference will be given to those who:

• Have demonstrated a commitment to WESS activities.
• Are willing to present a paper at the Bibliothekartag in Dresden and submit a proposal (paper title and an abstract of no more than 100 words) as a part of their application. The conference motto is “Netzwerk Bibliothek” and papers should address one or more of the themes listed. They may be given in English or German.
• Possess a good comprehension of and communication skills in the German language.

Applicants should send a letter of application addressing the required and preferred qualifications listed above, and including a full statement on previous and current relevant connections to Germany, and a current CV electronically (as e-mail and/or as Word attachments) to Helene Baumann, WESS Chair, at helene.baumann@duke.edu by September 15, 2005. Any member of the WESS Executive Committee who submits an application will not participate in the selection process. Applicants will be notified of the committee's decision by October 15.

Participants will sign a waiver releasing ALA/ACRL from any liability during the trip, and they will be expected to report on their experiences for the publication in an appropriate public venue after their return (a publication or future WESS program).