Massachusetts Library Association Scholarship Opportunity

The MLA is offering five (5) scholarships to help first time attendees defray the costs of attending the annual MLA Conference.
The scholarships are available to current and future library staff who wish to attend the Conference at the Hyatt in Cambridge Wednesday April 24 - Friday April 26, 2013.

Who is eligible?

• All applicants must be first time MLA Annual Conference attendees.
• Massachusetts librarians and paralibrarians.  All staff levels are encouraged to apply!
• Massachusetts librarians or paralibrians who are between jobs.
• Massachusetts residents who are enrolled in an accredited M.L.S. program or who are new graduates of an accredited M.L.S. program.
• Currently serving Trustees of a Massachusetts Library
• Current members of a Massachusetts Library Friends group.

Two (2) scholarships will be awarded to current students.
Three (3) additional scholarships will be awarded to Massachusetts librarians, paralibrarians, trustees or friends.

How do I apply?

Click here to open the online application form and write a 300-500 word statement answering one of the following questions:

Question 1
How do you Inspire, Inform or Ignite your community to love their library?

Question 2
Inspire, Inform, Ignite! which of these is the most important and how do you fit in?

Question 3
Hey applicant! Inspire, Inform and Ignite us, the application reviewers!

When is the deadline and when are winners announced?
Applications must be submitted by March 27th.
Winners will be announced April 5th.

What does the scholarship cover?
The scholarships cover the cost of registration on the days of attendance, conference meals and half the cost of accommodations for those requiring lodging on Wednesday and/or Thursday nights. The scholarship does not cover transportation. Scholarship winners will also receive a complimentary membership to the Massachusetts Library Association for April 2013-April 2014. 

If I win a scholarship, what are my obligations?
Scholarship winners need only to attend one day of the conference and are free to choose whatever sessions most interest them.  Scholarship winners may be asked to write a brief account of their MLA conference experience for the MLA newsletter, Bay State Libraries.
If you have questions about the scholarships please contact a member of the scholarship committee:
Ellen MJ Keane at 978-934-4594; email: Ellen_Keane@uml.edu
Danielle Kovacs at 413-545-2784; email: dkovacs@library.umass.edu
Kirsten Underwood at 978-686-4080; email: kunderwood@mvlc.org
Gianna Gifford at 617-536-5400; email: ggifford@bpl.org