Reminder: 21st Century Librarian Scholarship Applications Due June 3, 2013

The Nebraska Library Commission announces the eighth cycle of its 21st Century Librarian Scholarship program (http://nowhiringatyourlibrary.nebraska.gov/Scholarships.asp). Legal residents of the state of Nebraska are eligible to apply. In this seventh cycle, online applications are due June 3, 2013; transcripts (as required) are due May 24, 2013; and letters of recommendation, if mailed, are due May 24, 2013. Scholarships of up to $3,500 will be awarded, depending on 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, including general education classes), 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
Scholarship recipients will be eligible to apply for stipends for such things as laptop or tablet computers, professional association dues, and regional or national conference attendance. A former scholarship student recently said, “I finished up my certificate this last weekend and I wanted to thank the Commission for the opportunity to do this.  No matter how much you think you know you always learn something.  I would not have been able to do this without the financial support from the Commission.  Also a big thank you for buying me a laptop, which made it so much easier for me to get the assignments done, and for sending me to the NLA/MPLA conference.” 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. For example, several scholarship students have been awarded stipends to attend the upcoming ALA annual conference in Chicago. Current scholarship recipients are participating and reporting on trainings such as the 21st Century Skills Seminar, hands-on eBook/eReader trainings, and 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. 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. NOTE: Due to the significant number of applications for the Nebraska Library Commission master’s-level scholarships (funded through the Librarians for the 21st Century Program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services), as of July 1, 2012, graduate-level scholarships will no longer be available. Scholarships DO continue to be available for undergraduate Library Science studies, including LIS certificates, and Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees. 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.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *