The Nebraska Library Commission announces the fifth cycle of its 21st Century Librarian Scholarship program (
http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/NowHiring/Scholarships.asp). Legal residents of the state of Nebraska are eligible to apply. In this fifth cycle, online applications are due June 1, 2012; transcripts (as required) are due May 22, 2012; and letters of recommendation, if mailed, are due May 22, 2012. The amount of the scholarship award varies by the degree or certificate the applicant is pursuing and the applicant’s course plan.
Scholarships may be used for tuition (for coursework contributing toward a certificate or degree), course-required materials, and school-assessed fees at the following levels:
- Library and Information Science (LIS) Professional Certificate
- Associate of Arts or Science Degree in Library and Information Science (LIS)
- Bachelor of Arts or Science Degree with a major in Library and Information Science or Library Media
- Master of Arts or Science Degree in Library and Information Science (MLS/MLIS)
- Master of Arts or Science degree in Education (MEd) with a School Library Media endorsement
- Graduate-level School Library Media Endorsement
Scholarship recipients will be eligible to apply for stipends for such things as laptop computers, professional association dues, and regional or national conference attendance.
This dynamic program includes enhanced learning opportunities such as this summer’s 21st Century Skills Seminar, webinars, face-to-face training, and online social networking, such as the Nebraska Librarians Learning Together Facebook page,
http://www.facebook.com/NebraskaLibrarians.
To date, fify-four scholarships have been awarded to fifty-one students. Current scholarship recipients are participating and reporting on trainings that range from a hands-on introduction to eBooks and eReaders to live and recorded webinars about the latest Internet tools. Participants are networking with Nebraska librarians on the
Nebraska Librarians Learning Together Facebook page,
http://www.facebook.com/NebraskaLibrarians. And, through the associated stipends program, students have purchased laptop computers to use with their online classes, joined professional library associations, and attended regional and national conferences such as the 2012 Public Library Association conference in Philadelphia and the 2011 American Association of School Librarians conference in Minneapolis.
The scholarships, stipends, and value-added training are offered through the
Nebraska Library Commission’s Cultivating Rural Librarians’ 21st Century Skills program, which is funded through a grant from the
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program. For more information, contact Kathryn Brockmeier, Grant Program Manager, by
e-mail, or by phone 402-471-4002 or 800-307-2665.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit
www.imls.gov.