The Mountain Plains Public Library Association (MPLA) will host its third annual Leadership Institute Nov. 30 - Dec. 5, 2004 at the Ghost Ranch Educational & Retreat Center, Abiquiu, N.M. EBSCO Information Services is a founding partner of the Institute, which was established to train and grow future library leaders from the association's 12 state member area.

This year, 30 attendees will hone their leadership skills through presentations, discussions, group activities and exercises on topics relevant to leadership roles in libraries, government and professional associations. Topics include the characteristics of leaders, group dynamics, change, communication, conflict management and resolution, systems thinking, risk-taking, identification of personal strengths and the practical tools of leadership.

Library management and organizational development consultant and leadership trainer Maureen Sullivan will facilitate the Institute, with the assistance of five mentors: Amy Owen, retired Utah state librarian; Jerry Kaup, director, Minot Public Library, North Dakota; Maggie Farrell, dean of libraries, University of Wyoming; Patti Butcher, current chair of the MPLA Leadership Institute Committee, Kansas; and Mary Bushing, library leader, consultant and educator from Montana.

"Libraries continue to face challenges in our information environment," said Stan Terry, vice president and general manager of EBSCO's Mountain Plains Regional Office, headquartered in Golden, Colo. "We recognize the importance of individual leadership in dealing with these changes and are pleased to continue working with the Mountain Plains Leadership Institute as it develops the future leaders of our industry."

About the Mountain Plains Library Association
The Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA) is a twelve state association of librarians, library paraprofessionals and friends of libraries in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. Its purpose is to promote the development of librarians and libraries by providing significant educational and networking opportunities. Visit MPLA's Web site, www.usd.edu/mpla/ or contact mplaleader@worldnet.att.com for more information.

About EBSCO Information Services
EBSCO Subscription Services, EBSCO Publishing and EBSCO Book Services form the EBSCO Information Services group. EBSCO is a worldwide leader in providing information access and management solutions through print and electronic journal subscription services, research database development and production, online access to approximately 150 databases and thousands of e-journals, and online book purchasing. EBSCO has specialized products and services for academic, medical, government, public and school libraries as well as for corporations and other organizations. EBSCO maintains a comprehensive database of more than 282,000 serial titles and upholds active relationships with more than 60,000 publishers worldwide. 2004 marks EBSCO's 60th year of serving the library and business communities. For more information, visit www.ebsco.com.

Contact: Rebecca C. Walden Corporate Communications Office: (205) 980-6794 rwalden@ebsco.com

Release Date: Nov. 9, 2004