Idaho Commission for Libraries

GOT QUESTIONS? Logon to Hear About the SWIM Scholarship Program & the UNT - MLS Program

If you have questions about the SWIM Scholarship Program, Admission to UNT, taking distance learning classes, Attend the SWIM WebChat. Get answers to all of your questions during two chats to be held on:

DATE: Tuesday, December 1, 2009
TIME: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Mountain Time, 4:30-5:30 Pacific Time

DATE: Tuesday, December 15, 2009
TIME: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Mountain Time, 10:30 – 11:30 AM Pacific Time

Directions for attending the chat in the Wimba meeting room

1. You have been invited to join a Wimba Classroom session. http://67.202.209.252/launcher.cgi?room=id_room1 -- Please click on the link
2. Add your name in the Name: blank window
3. Click enter room. Confused? Check out this quick instruction sheet.

Here are some tools to use before the meeting:

A couple days before the meeting test your computer using the Wimba Wizard Setup Guide to make sure your computer and you are ready for the meeting.

Use this quick video to familiarize yourself with the navigation tools: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogcbPOxFqcU

Any questions for setup should be referred to Shirley Biladeau, Continuing Education Consultant, Idaho Commission for Libraries – Email: shirley.biladeau@libraries.idaho.gov or Phone: 208-629-4149

The $12,960 SWIM Scholarship!
Libraries in South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana—have formed a formal partnership called SWIM to address library education needs in the region. The SWIM Regional Collaborative Library Education Project will provide scholarships to educate librarians through the University of North Texas LIS master’s program

SWIM Scholarship Recipients will receive:
• An opportunity to earn a MLIS degree from an ALA accredited graduate program.
• Financial Support — Recipients will receive scholarships to cover approximately 80% of the cost of tuition, fees, and books (approximately $12, 960).
• Travel stipends for required training, residencies, and state library association conferences in the SWIM region including support to attend the in-person Institute.

Scholarship requirements for applicants include:
• Be a resident of Idaho, Montana, South Dakota or Wyoming • Have a BA/BS degree completed prior to fall 2010 • Not be currently enrolled or have been previously enrolled in a MLIS since January 1, 2005 • Apply to and be accepted to the MLIS distance program at UNT • Begin the MLIS program in the fall of 2010 and complete the program in two years in accordance with the cohort agreements (taking at least 6 credit hours a semester and attending courses every semester until you graduate).
• Agree to work in a Montana, South Dakota, Idaho, or Wyoming academic, public, school, special, or tribal library in a professional librarian position for 24 months after obtaining the graduate degree

Scholarship Application:
The scholarship application must be postmarked by March 15th, 2010. Scholarships will be awarded by April 30th, 2010. For more information about the SWIM scholarship program and the application go to the Idaho SWIM webpage. Idaho residents must submit the SWIM Scholarship application to:

Shirley Biladeau
Idaho Commission for Libraries
325 W State Street
Boise ID 83702
208-639-4149
shirley.biladeau@libraries.idaho.gov