ARSL Conference ScholarshipsThe application window for our 2023 Conference Scholarships is now closed. Each year the ARSL Grants, Awards & Scholarships (GAS) Committee accepts applications for four competitive scholarships to facilitate attendance to the ARSL Conference. These scholarships are funded through generous donations to the ARSL Scholarship Fund by our members and supporters!
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New This Year: The Empowering Library Workers of Color Conference Scholarship Library workers of color have been, and in many places continue to be, given access to fewer opportunities for professional growth and advancement. Establishing this scholarship is part of ARSL’s ongoing commitment to cultivating an intentionally inclusive professional community that amplifies the voices and lived experiences of library workers of color while also acknowledging the persistent structural inequalities within our profession. Applicants for this scholarship must be members of one or more marginalized and/or underrepresented ethnic, racial, or cultural identity groups within our profession (including but not limited to Black or African American; American Indian, First Nations, or Alaskan Native; Spanish, Hispanic, or Latine/a/o/x; Asian; Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Chamorro, or other Pacific Islander; Middle Eastern or North African). See below for full eligibility requirements.
Interested applicants may apply for all scholarships for which they are eligible in a given year. All successful applicants will be awarded one (1) scholarship from among those applied for, as outlined below.
Available ScholarshipsDr. Bernard Vavrek Conference Scholarship for LIS Students
Available to both ARSL members and non-members currently enrolled in Library and Information Science (LIS) courses. This conference scholarship is named in honor of the founder of ARSL's precursor organization, the Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship at Clarion University in Pennsylvania. Dr. Vavrek paved the way for the ARSL of today by dedicating his time to cultivating a fuller understanding of the uniqueness of small and rural libraries — a vision that guides our organization to this day. Eligibilty Requirements:
Award:
Founders Conference Scholarship for Early-Career Library WorkersAvailable to ARSL members. This scholarship provides assistance for library workers with 1-5 years of experience in the field. These early-career library workers often have less access to professional development funding through their institutions, especially when they serve in non-director roles. ARSL is committed to supporting the growth of library workers at all levels, and this scholarship serves to sow the seeds of a strong profession for years to come. Eligibilty Requirements:
Award:
NEW FOR 2023 - The Empowering Library Workers of Color Conference Scholarship Library workers of color have been, and in many places continue to be, given access to fewer opportunities for professional growth and advancement. Establishing this scholarship is part of ARSL’s ongoing commitment to cultivating an intentionally inclusive professional community that amplifies the voices and lived experiences of library workers of color while also acknowledging the persistent structural inequalities within our profession. Eligibilty Requirements:
Award:
ARSL Angels Conference ScholarshipAvailable to ARSL members. The ARSL Angels scholarship gives ARSL members and supporters the opportunity to pay it forward and help members of their professional community access quality professional development opportunities that are tailor-made for small and rural libraries. Each year multiple Angels scholarships may be awarded, depending on the availability of funds. Eligibilty Requirements:
Award:
Recipient Responsibilities
Third Party FundersInterested in providing ARSL scholarships? ARSL encourages third-party funders, such as vendors, to provide scholarship opportunities. If a third party chooses to fully cover the cost of a scholarship and asks ARSL to administer the selection, they will be allowed to establish their own award amount and selection criteria. The amount awarded will at minimum be equal to the conference registration cost. ARSL reserves the right to review and approve criteria used to select scholarship recipients. If additional third-party scholarships are offered for attendees that are dependent upon attending a particular session, ARSL will require the scholarship recipient to register for and attend the entire conference. Awards offered through a partnership with the ARSL organization or conference may have criteria set by the GAS Committee in conjunction with the funding partner. Past ScholarshipsKen Davenport Conference Scholarship for Mid-Career Library Workers
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