LOUISE A. NIXON SCHOLARSHIP: Online Application*
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Louise A. Nixon (1897-1989) worked constantly to enlighten the legislature about Nebraska’s libraries’ needs. She served as Assistant Director of the Nebraska Legislative Reference Bureau and as Legislative Council Librarian. Louise Nixon was head of the Nebraska Library Commission from 1950 to 1969. When federal funds were made available, she initiated bookmobile demonstration projects; public library construction; extension services; services to institutional residents and the physically challenged; and an inter-library communication network. Our lives have been enriched by her open-minded, conscientious dedication to building library service in this state.
When Nixon reflected on her life for the Lincoln Journal, the paper wrote, “There is no single figure of greater 20th century significance in developing Nebraska’s contemporary system of community libraries – facilities, collections, trained personnel, cooperative networking.”
This scholarship was established to help each recipient reach for Nixon’s goals of dedication and vision.
The application deadline is April 15th of the current year. Scholarship recipients will be announced in May.
Purpose
The Louise A. Nixon Scholarship Fund was established to support students who pursue graduate level library education. Full-time and part-time students are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants must meet these Nebraska Library Association guidelines.
Applicant Requirements
Applicant must be accepted by an ALA-accredited graduate school of library/information science; OR, Applicant must be accepted by a graduate media program that meets the ALA/AASL curriculum guidelines within a unit accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.
- Applicant must meet one of the following criteria –
A. Resident of Nebraska for at least one year
B. Member of NLA for at least one year
C. Employee, past or present, of a Nebraska library for at least one year - Applicant will submit proof of current acceptance or enrollment in an ALA accredited program.
- Applicant will submit two current letters of recommendation.
- Applicant will write a personal statement explaining (1) her or his employment history; (2) his or her employment expectations after graduation; and (3) her or his expected graduation date.
- Applicant will provide his or her estimated education expenses.
- A personal interview may be requested by the Scholarship Committee.
Scholarship Conditions
- Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate the best potential for employment in Nebraska libraries after graduation.
- One award per person is given. Scholarship applicants must deserve the award. Scholarships will not be awarded automatically if only one person applies.
- Applications must be received by the NLA Scholarship Committee on or before April 15th of the current year.
- Scholarships will be paid directly to the educational institution. If the award exceeds the remaining tuition, the extra money can be used for school-related expenses.
DUANE MUNSON SCHOLARSHIP: Online Application*
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Duane Munson, a well-known bookseller from Columbus, has been a long-time leader and solid supporter of library and educational activity in Nebraska. He desires to share his good fortune jointly with the NLA and NEMA communities. Munson has personally sponsored this scholarship since 1991.
The application deadline is April 15th of the current year. Scholarship recipients will be announced in May.
Purpose
The Duane Munson Scholarship was established to help practicing librarians and paraprofessionals gain additional library-related education and training. Full-time and part-time employees are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants must meet these Nebraska Library Association guidelines.
Applicant Requirements
- Applicant will offer proof of acceptance for the program.
- Applicant must meet the following criteria –
A. Employee of a Nebraska library or educational unit for at least one year
B. Member of NLA for at least one year - Applicant will submit an employment record.
- Applicant will submit two current letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with his or her professional qualifications.
- Applicant will submit a statement explaining why training is important and how it will enhance the applicant’s professional growth.
- Applicant will submit her or his estimated expenses. Expenses may include tuition, fees, books, and travel.
Scholarship Conditions
- One scholarship ($250.00) will be given each year.
- One award per person is given. Scholarship applicants must deserve the award. Scholarships will not be awarded automatically if only one person applies.
- Applications must be received by the NLA Scholarship Committee on or before April 15th of the current year.
- Scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient as soon after selection as possible.
Nebraska’s Emerging Leader
The Nebraska Library Association sponsors one participant per year for the ALA Emerging Leaders Program and budgets $1,000 annually for the selected person to attend ALA Midwinter ($500) and ALA Annual ($500). Each year NLA must submit an “Intent to Sponsor” form that is due to ALA in early April.
In mid to late May the application will be available on the website. An announcement should be sent to the membership and posted on the website. The deadline is in early August. ALA will notify the contact person (Executive Director) about one week after the application deadline with a link to the website and instructions for sponsorship ranking. The contact person will share this information with the Scholarships & Awards Committee who will coordinate the selections of the Nebraska recipient. The Committee will have approximately one month to make a selection. Once the rankings are in place, the Scholarship & Awards Committee chair will notify the Executive Director who then notifies the ALA Emerging Leaders Coordinator of our selections.
Once the candidate has been selected, the ALA Emerging Leaders Coordinator will notify the Executive Director of the selected candidate, who in turn, will send a letter to the selectee informing them of the Nebraska Library Association sponsorship outlining the details.
Information about the program can be found at: http://www.ala.org/
