ILAB announces scholarship for YABS 2023 - Apply until 28th July!

An excellent opportunity to learn from experienced ILAB booksellers is coming up again for young or new booksellers of the trade, it is not required to belong to a booksellers' association yet.

The York Antiquarian Book Seminar (YABS), coordinated by the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association ABA (UK), offers an opportunity for leading booksellers and librarians to share their expertise and experience with would-be and fledgling booksellers, librarians and collectors in a comprehensive survey of the second-hand, antiquarian and rare book markets. Basic procedures and problems are discussed formally and informally through a series of lectures, discussions, and practical hands-on workshops emphasizing cataloguing, pricing and bookselling.
The seminar is designed for people of all levels of expertise, from beginners to those with years of experience who want to hone their skills in this rapidly changing field.

The scholarship will cover the full YABS tuition fee for the 4-day seminar.
It further includes a reimbursement of 75% of the travel costs and accommodation, capped at GBP700. Accommodation is organised by the Seminar Manager.

Who can apply and how?
Applicants must envisage a full-time career as an antiquarian bookseller but do not have to be a member of an ILAB-affiliated trade association.
Applicants shall send a motivation letter (no longer than two pages) explaining how they would benefit from attending the seminar.

Applicants must reside outside of the UK.

Key dates:
Applications must be received by the ILAB Secretariat no later than 28 July 2023.
The successful candidate will be chosen by the ILAB Committee and informed after 11 August 2023.

Contact:
Angelika Elstner, ILAB Secretary: secretariat@ilab.org
Riley Grant, ABA Secretary & YABS Coordinator: secretary@aba.org.uk

A report by our scholarship winner in 2022, Oğuz Selim Başar, bookseller in Istanbul:

One day I saw an announcement tweet about a seminar on books, and an offer for a scholarship... I was excited. I wrote my cover letter and sent it. I did not have much hope to be honest but still, I wanted to try my luck. One month later, while packing books for an order, I received an e-mail starting with:

“ILAB is very pleased to advise you that you have been selected for the award of the scholarship to the York Antiquarian Book Seminar...”

Yes, it was a good thing I tried my luck.

2 months later I landed in York. That was the first time I was with that many bibliophiles in one event. Despite the diversity of the participants, one thing was in common: a passion for books.

Read the full article here:
"... THE BIGGEST ENLIGHTENMENT OF MY 'BOOK CAREER'"

The 2023 seminar runs from 20 - 23 November. For all information, please visit: https://www.yabseminar.com/