What is the seminar?

Fall semester seminar & topic in fall 2008

Winter/spring short-term seminars

Quotes from program alumni

The Library and its collection

Chicago -- a great city

Academic info: eligibility & credit

Costs, housing & how to apply

Contact: campus program advisors, ACM office

Opportunities for faculty

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is eligible?
• How much credit will I receive?
• Where do seminar students live?
• How much does it cost?
• What are the other expenses?
• Can I get a job at the library during the seminar?
• How do I apply?
• How safe is the city?
• How can I find out more?

Who is eligible?

Juniors and seniors interested in pursuing serious research in the humanities are eligible for the Newberry seminar.

How much credit will I receive?

Recommended credit for the fall seminar is 16 semester hours or the equivalent. Each short-term seminar is considered equivalent to one course on the home campus.

Students should consult the campus program advisor or off-campus studies officer for their college’s credit and grading policy for this program. The amount and distribution of credit should be determined in advance.

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Where do seminar students live?

Students in the Newberry seminar live at the Canterbury Court Apartments, in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood and a few blocks walk from the Newberry Library. Canterbury Court is a vintage, 17-story apartment building, formerly a residential hotel.

Two students share each studio apartment (similar in size to a standard dorm room) with a kitchenette, bathroom and walk-in closet. The apartments are approximately 15' x 18' and are furnished with one or two chairs, tables, lamps, ovens, and compact refrigerators. Some apartments have Murphy beds; others have regular twin beds. It's an ideal location for young people living in the city.

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Can I get a job at the Library during the seminar?

Yes, and it's a great way to both earn some money and get some great experience. Although work is not guaranteed, in the past several years all fall program students who wished to have had the opportunity to work in the library.

Students work up to ten hours a week and earn minimum wage. Jobs have included: clerical work in Research and Education, the Library's four research centers, or the Development Office; setting up exhibits; paging books or cataloging for the General Reading Room or Special Collections; and doing research for projects such as the Encyclopedia of Chicago History or Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Many students have enjoyed their jobs, and some have gained valuable work qualifications.

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How can I find out more?

On each ACM and GLCA campus there is an advisor who can tell you more about the seminar and how it fits into your education. She or he can possibly also introduce you to program alumni on your campus who can tell you about their experiences in the seminar.

If you want to know more about housing or other details, contact the ACM office.

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