ARSL Conference Scholarships

2022 Scholarship Winners

Dr. Bernard Vavrek Scholarship
Recipient: Victor Jimenez Olviera, San Jose State University Class of 2022-23 (and Outreach Coordinator, Stanislaus County Library, Modesto, CA)

Founders Scholarship for Early-Career Library Professionals
Recipient: Donna Techau, Director, Bement Public Library District, Bement, IL

Ken Davenport Scholarship for Mid-Career Library Professionals
Recipient: Kendra Harrell, Library Director, Atlanta Public Library, Atlanta, TX

ARSL Angels Scholarship
Recipient 1: Drea Douglas, Learning Coordinator, North Bend Public Library, North Bend, OR
Recipient 2: Jessi Thomas, Teen Services Librarian, Anne West Lindsey District Library, Carterville, IL
Recipient 3: Tina Brison, Director, Breeden Memorial Library, Milltown, IN

 

Available Scholarships

Dr. Bernard Vavrek Scholarship 
Student scholarship

  • Current part-time or full-time student taking Library and Information Science classes 
  • First-time conference attendee (not counting virtual attendance) 

Award:

  • One year of ARSL membership 
  • Complimentary registration
  • Three nights hotel in a conference hotel
  • $500 travel stipend  

Founders Scholarship
Early career library professionals

  • ARSL member in good standing 
  • Working in library career between 1-5 years
  • Currently employed at a small and/or rural library 
  • First-time conference attendee (not counting virtual attendance) 
  • A degree or certification is not required for eligibility

Award:

  • Complimentary registration
  • Three nights hotel in a conference hotel
  • $500 travel stipend 

Ken Davenport Scholarship
Library professionals with 6-10 years in career

  • ARSL member in good standing 
  • Working in library career between 6-10 years
  • Currently employed at a small and/or rural library 
  • First-time conference attendee (not counting virtual attendance) 
  • A degree or certification is not required 

Award:

  • Complimentary registration
  • Three nights hotel in a conference hotel

Angel Scholarship

  • ARSL member in good standing 
  • Currently employed at a small and/or rural library 
  • First-time conference attendee (not counting virtual attendance) 
  • A degree or certification is not required 

Award:

  • Complimentary registration
  • Three nights hotel in a conference hotel

Recipient Responsibilities 

  • Scholarship recipients are expected to attend the entire conference.
  • Scholarship recipients are required to submit an article/blog post to ARSL regarding their conference experience for use on the website to advertise future conferences.  The blog post, as well as any required receipts for reimbursement, are due within 30 after conference attendance.  
  • Recipients may be asked to serve on future scholarship committees. 

Third Party Funders 

Interested 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 Conference Committee in conjunction with the funding partner.