DEMCO New Leaders Travel Grants
Public Library Association
Award: $1,500
To enhance the professional development and improve the expertise of public librarians new to the field by making possible their attendance at major professional development activities. Qualifications: Applicants must be a current member of the Public Library Association; applicant must have been a practicing librarian (with an MLS from an accredited institution) for five years or less; applicant cannot be a current officer or member of the PLA Board of Directors; applicant cannot be a current member of the New Leaders Travel Grant Jury; applicant’s supervisor or supervising authority cannot be a current member of the New Leaders Travel Grant Jury; applicant cannot have attended a major PLA continuing education program in the last five years due to limited or non-existent funding for professional travel at his or her institution. Selection criteria: Selection will be based upon the quality and appropriateness of the submitted proposals; preference will be given to applicants who can document fiscal need for travel funds based on their institution's budget and to those applicants whose continuing education goals fall within the framework of these PLA priority concerns: adequate funding for public libraries; improved management of public libraries; recognition of the importance of all library staff in providing quality public service; recruitment, education, training, and compensation of public librarians; (effective use of technology; intellectual freedom; improved access to library resources; effective communication with the non-library world. How to apply: Applicants must submit online application form. Focus: Library and archival sciences.