ARSL Conference Scholarships

About ARSL Conference Scholarships

The Association for Rural and Small Libraries currently offers three annual conference scholarships to promote the organization and the conference. They are the Dr. Bernard Vavrek Scholarship, the Founders Scholarship, and the Ken Davenport Scholarship.

Dr. Bernard Vavrek Scholarship

The Dr. Bernard Vavrek Scholarship will go to a current Library and Information Science student. It includes conference registration, hotel accommodations for three nights, $500 stipend and a free one-year membership in ARSL.

Founders Scholarship & Ken Davenport Scholarship

The Founders Scholarship and the Ken Davenport scholarship will go to a current library professional. They include conference registration, hotel accommodations for three nights, a $500 stipend and a free one-year membership in ARSL. The definition of a “Library Professional” is a library staff member working in a small and/or rural library. A degree or certification is not required.

Perez-Allen Scholarship

The Perez-Allen Scholarship is funded by a donation from a Georgia supporter of rural libraries. It is open to current library professional that have not attended previous ARSL conferences. The scholarship covers conference registration, hotel accommodations for three nights, a $500 stipend and a free one-year membership in ARSL. The definition of a “Library Professional” is a library staff member working in a small and/or rural library. A degree or certification is not required. Please note that preference will be given to qualified Georgia librarians.

The committee will use your address and your supervisor information to verify your state.

Candidates do not need to be members of ARSL, however, membership is encouraged.

Candidates for any scholarship should have completed an application form. Deadline for submission of applications was 5:00 pm Central Time on June 2, 2017.

The Conference Scholarship Committee selects winners based on need, a desire to serve the small and rural community, an established pattern of working within the community, and willingness and ability to network and share what they have learned at the conference with their peers.

These scholarships are for first-time attendees only so the applicants should not have attended a previous ARSL conference. Winners are required to write a short blog entry on the ARSL website to talk about the conference experience and are asked to serve as a member of the ARSL Scholarship Committee the following year.

If you have any questions, please contact scholarship chairperson Shirley Vonderhaar at [email protected]

Past Conference Scholarship Winners

ARSL Conference Scholarship Winners for 2016

Bernard Vavrek Scholarship: Jeanna Allums, Lake Park, GA.
Founders Scholarship: Hannah Buckland, Director of Library Services, Larry P. Aitken Library / Leech Lake Tribal College, Cass Lake, MN.
Ken Davenport Scholarship: Vanessa Everhart, Program Director, Bennington Community Library, Bennington, KS.

ARSL Conference Scholarship Winners for 2015

Bernard Vavrek Scholarship:  Lisa Lawless, UNC-Greensboro MLIS student and Branch Librarian, Danbury Public Library, Danbury, NC.
Founders Scholarship: Laura Hoover, Director, Swisher Community Library, Swisher, IA.
Ken Davenport Scholarship: James R. O’Neal, Jr., Affiliate Services Coordinator, Middle Georgia Regional Library, Macon, GA.

ARSL Conference Scholarship Winners for 2014

Bernard Vavrek Scholarship: Andrea Mewbourn, student at the University of Alabama and PR / Business Manager at the Orange Beach Public Library.
Founders Scholarship: Selena Swink, Branch Manager, Lake and Sebastopol Public Libraries.
Ken Davenport Scholarship: Elizabeth Rivera, Library Assistant, Coquille Public Library

ARSL Conference Scholarship Winners for 2013

  • Bernard Vavrek Scholarship: Michele Lawrence, Student at the University of Alabama and library assistant at North Suffolk Public Library
  • Founders Scholarship: Kathy Hale, Director, Savonburg Public Library
  • Ken Davenport Scholarship: Jennifer Milligan, Director, Sherrill-Kenwood Free Library

ARSL Conference Scholarship Winners for 2012

  • Bernard Vavrek Scholarship: Juliette L. Elmore, Student, Clarion University and Library Director, Oakland City-Columbia Township Public Library, Indiana—
  • Founders Scholarship: Hope Decker, Cohocton Public Library, New York—Read Hope’s blog post »
  • Ken Davenport Scholarship: Kate Skinner, Library Manager, Chewelah Public Library, Washington—Read Kate’s blog post»

ARSL Conference Scholarship Winners for 2011

  • Bernard Vavrek Scholarship: Jeff D. Saunders, Tallahassee, FL
  • Founders Scholarship: Jennifer Riordan, Kings County Library, Handford, CA
  • Ken Davenport Scholarship: Angela Glowcheski, Lumpkin County Library, Dawsonville, Georgia

ARSL Conference Scholarship Winners for 2010

  • Bernard Vavrek Scholarship: Cindy Stewart Grant, Student at Missouri University and Director at Mound City Public Library
  • Founders Scholarship: Joan Pellikka, Consultant Librarian at North Country Library System, Watertown, NY
  • Ken Davenport Scholarship: Beth Porter, Director at Heyworth Public Library, Heyworth, IL

ARSL Conference Scholarship Winners for 2009

  • Bernard Vavrek Scholarship: Jennifer Stephenson, Student at University of Southern Mississippi and Director at Carroll County Public Library System, Carrollton, Mississippi
  • Founders Scholarship: Paula DeMars, Director, Hill City Community Library, Hill City, South Dakota