Vanderbilt University, Division of Sponsored Research

Vanderbilt University will expand and enhance the Southern Library Support Staff (SLSS) Conference, founded at Vanderbilt University in 2019, by providing full scholarships for 60 of 200 anticipated attendees and helping the SLSS to expand nationally. While librarians receive standardized training through ALA-accredited programs, support staff enter the field through multiple pathways with varied educational backgrounds. As vital contributors to library success, they require ongoing training, yet funding for their professional development is often scarce. The SLSS Conference offers keynotes, panels, workshops, and excursions, helping attendees fulfill continuing education requirements and will benefit attendees and the communities they serve.