Scholarship to Attend ALA Annual Conference - Apply by April 6

The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) has opened applications for the 2012 Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship, which will enable a library school student or new professional to attend ALA’s 2012 Annual Conference, held June 21-26 in Anaheim, Calif.

The goal of the Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship is to advance two principles that Conable held dear: intellectual freedom and mentorship.  The scholarship provides for conference registration, transportation, housing for six nights and six days per diem. In return, the recipient will be expected to attend various FTRF and other intellectual freedom meetings and events at the conference, consult with a mentor/board member and present a report about their experiences.  The recipient also will be invited, although not required, to provide daily updates about his or her experience on the Freedom to Read Foundation blog.

The deadline for submitting an application for the 2012 Conable Scholarship is Friday, April 6; the award will be announced in May.

Who is eligible: Students currently enrolled in an ALA-accredited library and information studies degree programor an AASL-recognized master’s programs in school librarianship and new professionals (those who are three or fewer years removed from receiving a library school degree) are eligible to receive the Conable Scholarship. Those interested must submit an application that includes two references and an essay detailing their interest in intellectual freedom issues. Applicants also are required to attach a résumé. If the recipient is already registered for ALA’s Annual Conference, he or she will have the conference fee refunded.

To apply for the Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship, visit www.ftrf.org. For more information, please contact Jonathan Kelley at (800) 545-2433, ext. 4226 or jokelley@ala.org.

Scholarships to Attend ALA Midwinter

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) and EBSCO are partnering to offer five scholarships for librarians to attend the 2012 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Dallas. The meeting takes place Jan. 20 - 24, 2012, and offers an opportunity for continuing education, meetings and interaction with colleagues.

Each EBSCO scholarship will be in the amount of $1,500, and one of the five scholarships will be awarded to a first-time conference attendee. The scholarship money is to be used for conference registration, travel and expenses.

Deadline for entry is Nov. 1, 2011; scholarship recipients will be notified no later than Dec. 12, 2011.  To apply, candidates must complete the application criteria and submit an essay that addresses the following topic: “If you could change anything about your current workplace or job responsibilities, how would you position them to meet future needs?” Essays and applications will be judged by a jury designated by ALA.