The American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting applications for the 2016 class of Emerging Leaders. Details on the program criteria as well as a link to the application can be found on the Emerging Leaders Web page . The deadline to apply is Aug. 1, 2015. The program is designed to enable library workers to get on the fast track to ALA and professional leadership. Participants are given the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, network with peers and gain an understanding of the ALA structure and wide range of activities. Individuals who are considering applying to the program should be a new library professional with fewer than five years of experience working at a professional or paraprofessional level in a library. They should also be able to attend both the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston (Jan. 8 – 12, 2016) and the ALA Annual Conference in Orlando (June 23 – 28, 2016). Additional criteria can be found on the Emerging Leaders’ Web page . An ALA division, round table, ethnic affiliate, state chapter or school library media affiliate will sponsor nearly all of the selected applicants. Each sponsor will contribute $1,000 toward expenses of attending the ALA Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference ($500 for each conference). Sponsorship is not required for participation in the program. A list of sponsoring units is included as part of the online application. Applicants can indicate on the application which groups they want to consider them for sponsorship. Applicants may also check with various state associations and/or state chapters to find out if they are participating and how to apply for their sponsorship. No more than one person from any institution will be selected for participation in the program in any given year. For more information, visit the Emerging Leaders Web page or contact the program manager at emergingleaders@ala.org . Don Wood Program Officer Chapter Relations Office American Library Association 50 East Huron Street Chicago, IL 60611 dwood@ala.org 1-800-545-2433, ext. 2429; 312-280-2429 312-280-4392 (fax) Become a Fan of ALA Chapters Follow CRO on Twitter Take Action for America’s Libraries “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.”—Albert Schweitzer