CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Mortenson Center for International Library Programs is accepting applications for the 2026 Mortenson Center Associates Program until Nov. 21.
This program will offer individuals working in a library 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-edgeprograms and services.
The 2026 program is titled, “Poised for Impact: Data, User, Strategy-Driven Libraries,” and will take place June 1 through June 24 next year.
The goal of the program is to engage participants in learning about novel and inventive practices and services in areas such as:
Other program highlights include seminars and workshops that will introduce and explore current trends in the field; library experts sharing their perspectives and expertise to foster conversations on the themes of leadership and impact to build data, user, strategy-driven libraries; and tours of a variety of libraries, including academic, public, and special libraries.
There will also be networking opportunities and in the end, participants will develop individual action plans appropriate to their professional and institutional needs.
Clara Chu, director of the center and Mortenson Distinguished Professor, said the program dates as far back as the late 90s/early 2000s (that was before it became a “cohort” type of program).
The idea vision for of the associates program was to bring in people from around the world who wanted to learn more about libraries and be able to take this new knowledge to enhance their own libraries in their part of the world.
Chu said that vision ties into the Center’s overall mission, which is to strengthen international ties among libraries and librarians and promote international education, understanding and peace.
And for as long as she’s been director of the center, Chu said that participants always say the same thing about the program.
“There’s life before the associates program, and there’s life after,” Chu said. “They all say that because something special happens here.”
Chu explained that participants come from different backgrounds and different countries that are either advanced in terms of library technology or still developing. Therefore, she said, when they attend the program regardless of where they come from, they always learn something new and wonderful.
“What we offer participants is a different way to think of themselves as leaders and because we introduce them to the latest developments in librarianship, they are then able to determine whether those developments will work for them in their home countries,” she said. “They make that decision for themselves, and because they’re discussing and spending time with other librarians from other parts of the world then they’re able to find…common ground.”
Additionally, participants come from different library settings such as special libraries, government libraries, and public libraries, and Chu said when they attend the program and visit different types of libraries, they can see innovation in action.
As a result, they learn how to apply new approaches to their own library settings.
“For example, they pick up (a new idea) or something that they hadn’t thought of for their academic library from a public library (they visit through the program),” Chu said. “They are able to share innovations across different (library settings).”
The associates program has a different theme every year. For instance, the 2025 program was called, “Libraries unbound: Open, Inclusive and Engaged,” and the theme centered on the open access and the open scholarship that libraries offer.
Although the themes change year-to-year, Chu said something that always stays the same is the international professional networking.
“We want to make sure that they stay connected,” Chu said.
Elizabeth Malabanan, a 2024 associates program graduate and the library director of the University of Perpetual Help System Laguna in the Philippines, said in a blog on the Mortenson Center website that her experience with the program and with the center inspired her own leadership journey.
“It continues to guide my work in transforming library spaces and empowering future information professionals,” she said.
When asked what advice she would give someone who is considering applying for the program or someone who has been accepted, Malabanan recommended that they embrace the experience with an open heart and mind.
“Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. This program will challenge and change you in the best of ways,” she said. “Build meaningful relationships with your classmates and mentors, as these connections will last a lifetime.”
Similarly, Chintan Pandya, a 2024 program graduate and librarian at MICA in India, said in the same blog that the program is truly a lifelong learning experience for any library professional calling it a “do not miss” opportunity.
“My advice to future participants is to make the most of your time, engage deeply with the program, build meaningful connections, and expand your professional network,” Pandya said. “Equally important is to immerse yourself in the local culture (and) observe the traditions, lifestyle, and people around you. This cultural experience is as enriching as the professional one.”
All application materials for next year’s program must be emailed to mortenson@illinois.edu by November 21, 2025.
All applicants will be notified of application status by January 6, 2026.
Analicia Haynes is the storytelling and social media specialist for Illinois International. She can be reached at ahayn2@illinois.edu.