2010-2014 IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
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, Bachelor’s
endorsements, and Associate's and Bachelor’s
degrees.
The applicant must successfully submit the completed online scholarship application no later than
4:59 p.m., Central Time, on the appropriate deadline date. Letters of recommendation submitted by mail or courier and all transcripts (as required) must be postmarked or date-stamped by the date indicated in the table above.
STIPENDS
Application deadline
Notification of award
First day of the month beginning July 1, 2011 and ending
August 1, 2014
Last day of the month beginning July 31, 2011 and ending
August 31, 2014
Applications for stipends submitted by mail, e-mail, or fax must be postmarked or date-stamped by the date indicated above.
Eligibility
The applicant must:
Be a resident of the state of Nebraska. A resident is a person who is domiciled in this state, even if absent for a period of time, or who has maintained a permanent place of abode and spent over six months in Nebraska.
Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
Be enrolled in a certificate or degree program with a concentration in library and information science or school library media at an accredited college or university.
Provide/authorize release of proof of course/program enrollment and educational records from the educational institution to the Nebraska Library Commission.
Agree to the terms and conditions of the scholarship.
Students are eligible to apply for consecutive scholarships at each level.
Scholarship recipients are eligible to apply for scholarships at another
("next") level. Scholarship recipients may not apply for stipends until they have submitted a signed letter of acceptance of the scholarship.
Scholarship Program Description
Overview
Nebraska residents who are pursuing an education in library science may receive support from the Nebraska Library Commission through scholarships, stipends, and value-added learning experiences.
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:
Provide/authorize release of proof of course/program enrollment and educational records from the educational institution to Nebraska Library Commission.
Provide a Notification of Enrollment form for each academic term.
Provide a course plan.
Expend scholarship and stipend funds within two (2) years of award, or by October 31, 2014, whichever comes first. Requests for reimbursement (for scholarship and stipend funds) must be received by September 30, 2014.
Miss no more than one academic term (excluding summer terms) for the duration of the scholarship.
Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and offer proof.
Participate in at least three enhanced learning sessions offered through the scholarship program and disseminate information about the experience.
Join the Nebraska Library Commission Facebook support network and actively participate.
Notify the Nebraska Library Commission in the event of a change of contact information—mailing address, telephone number(s), and/or e-mail address.
Be available for follow-up interviews and surveys for the purposes of scholarship program evaluation.
After obtaining a degree or certificate, maintain or seek employment in a Nebraska public, school, institutional, tribal, or special library in a library position, and, if hired or currently employed in a library setting, work for at least 12 months.
The Nebraska Library Commission will:
Request proof of enrollment from schools for recipients.
Remit payment of scholarship funds directly to the school or reimburse the student for qualifying expenses.
Provide additional training opportunities in 21st century skills for value-added experiences.
Provide networking opportunities.
Coordinate mentors to accompany students to conferences.
Recruit students from diverse backgrounds, new to the field of Library Science, and/or living/working in rural areas of Nebraska.
Maintain confidential files.
Evaluate the program and disseminate results.
Comply with all grant expectations set forth by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Stipend Description
These stipends are payments for use toward pre-approved,
scholarship-related expenses above tuition, fees, and course-related
materials:
Laptop or tablet computers (one per scholarship recipient, regardless of number of scholarships received by the recipient);
Student-level association dues in the Nebraska Library Association, or Nebraska
School Librarians Association, or a regional or national library-related professional organization; and
Attendance (travel, lodging, meals, and registration expenses) at one library-related national or regional conference.
The Nebraska Library Commission will award stipends to scholarship recipients based on the justification for and availability of funding.
Scholarship recipients may not apply for stipends until they have submitted a signed letter of acceptance of the scholarship. An application must be completed for each item requested.
Value-added Learning Experiences Description
Value-added learning experiences—such as consultation, training, and social networking—will be offered by the Nebraska Library Commission to ensure that scholarship recipients build 21st century learning and technology skills that can be transferred to library customers.
Each scholarship recipient will participate in at least three pre-approved online or face-to-face training sessions and will report on his or her experiences.
Scholarship recipients will be invited to attend a two-day,
all-expenses-paid training seminar in 21st century skills in 2012.
Award Information
SCHOLARSHIPS
Education Level
Award Amount
Library and Information Science Professional Certificate (LIS)
$2,000-$3,500*
Associate of Arts or Science Degree in Library and Information Science
$2,000-$3,500*
Bachelor of Arts or Science Degree with a major in Library and
Information Science or Library Media
$2,000-$3,500*
Master of Arts or Science Degree in Library and Information Science
(MLIS)
Up to $2,500*
Master of Arts or Science Degree in Education (MEd) with Library Media Endorsement
Up to $2,500*
Graduate-level School Library Media Endorsement
Up to $2,500*
*This award amount will be determined by tuition and class materials costs actually incurred.
STIPENDS of up to $2,000 (including funds for laptop or
tablet
computer + association dues + conference attendance) may be awarded per scholarship
recipient.
Application Review
Applications will be reviewed by a committee composed of Nebraska Library Commission staff.
Basis of award:
Completion of background information
Résumé
Letter of purpose
Letters of recommendation
Official transcripts (as required)
Track record as previous Nebraska Library Commission scholarship recipient
Agreement to terms and conditions of the scholarship
Submission of all application materials by the appropriate deadlines
Award Administration
The Nebraska Library Commission will administer the funds.
For each academic period, the student will provide information on course enrollment; the Nebraska Library Commission will verify enrollment with the school and disburse funds directly to the school. If a school will not allow the student to
charge course-required materials to their student account, the student may
request direct reimbursement. Payment to the school for tuition,
course-required materials (as allowed), and fees will depend on the billing
cycle of the school. Requests for reimbursement (for scholarship and stipend
funds) must be received by September 30, 2014. Expense reimbursement
requests will meet State policies.
To apply for a scholarship at a particular degree/certificate level, submit the materials listed below:
Background Information
— You will be asked to
provide contact information and student status during the online
application.
Résumé — Submit your résumé (no longer than two [2]
pages) outlining your work experience, paid or volunteer (include job
titles, dates and a short description of duties); educational
background; and knowledge and skills. If there are significant blocks
of time when you weren’t in the workforce or going to school, please
indicate what you were doing during those times. The résumé must be
uploaded online at the time of application. Documents created through a
word processing program and scanned documents are examples of acceptable
formats. Electronic file extensions include .doc, .docx, .rtf, .wpd, .wps,
.pdf, .htm, .tif. Contact the Nebraska Library Commission in advance
with any questions regarding file formats.
Letter of Purpose —
Submit a letter (addressed to the Scholarship Committee, no longer than
two [2] pages) outlining the studies you plan to undertake, your motivation
for pursuing an education/career in library science, how you will use
what you learn in your degree program, and what you plan to get out of
this scholarship program’s enrichment opportunities. The letter must be
uploaded online at the time of application. Documents created through a
word processing program and scanned documents are examples of acceptable
formats. Electronic file extensions include .doc, .docx, .rtf, .wpd, .wps,
.pdf, .htm, .tif. Contact the Nebraska Library Commission in advance
with any questions regarding file formats.
Letters of Recommendation — Request three (3)
individuals to each write a letter (addressed to the Scholarship
Committee) in support of your academic and professional pursuits. A
reference may come from a professor, principal, librarian, community
leader, employer, etc., who is familiar with your professional
qualifications and ability to complete a degree/certificate program.
Letters may be submitted in any of three (3)ways:
The applicant uploads a scanned copy of an original, signed letter
from a reference via the online application. The letter must be uploaded online at
the time of application. Documents created through a word processing
program and scanned documents are examples of acceptable formats.
Electronic file extensions include .doc, .docx, .rtf, .wpd, .wps, .pdf,
.htm, .tif. Contact the Nebraska Library Commission in advance with
any questions regarding file formats.
The applicant sends an original, signed letter from a reference directly to the
Nebraska Library Commission (addressed to: 21st Century Librarians
Scholarship Committee; Nebraska Library Commission; 1200 N Street,
Ste. 120; Lincoln, NE 68508-2023). The letter must be must be postmarked or date-stamped by the date as indicated above in the Application Calendar/Deadlines table.
The reference sends an original, signed letter directly to the
Nebraska Library Commission (addressed to: 21st Century Librarians
Scholarship Committee; Nebraska Library Commission; 1200 N Street,
Ste. 120; Lincoln, NE 68508-2023). We recommend that you provide
each reference with a pre-addressed, stamped envelope. The letter must be must be postmarked or date-stamped by the date as indicated above in the Application Calendar/Deadlines table.
Official transcripts — Official transcripts will be accepted via
e-mail
(
), or U.S. Mail/courier (addressed to: 21st Century Librarians
Scholarship Committee; Nebraska Library Commission; 1200 N Street, Ste.
120; Lincoln, NE 68508-2023), provided they are postmarked or date-stamped by the date as indicated above in the Application Calendar/Deadlines table and are sent from the college/university.
If you are applying for a scholarship at this level…
…then send the following transcripts:
Bachelor of Arts or Science Degree with a major in Library and
Information Science or Library Media
College coursework taken within the last five (5) years
Master of Arts or Science Degree in Library and Information
Science
All bachelor’s- and master’s-level coursework
Master of Arts or Science Degree in Education with Library Media
Endorsement
All bachelor’s- and master’s-level coursework
Graduate-level School Library Media Endorsement
All bachelor’s- and master’s-level coursework
Library and Information Science Professional Certificate OR
Associate of Arts or Science Degree in Library and Information
Science
Transcripts are NOT
required at these levels
Application Agreement
Electronic Signature
Statistical Survey (optional)
Only complete applications will be
reviewed. All applications are confidential. Information will not be shared
with any other organizations or individuals except as required by state or
federal laws. All application materials will be kept on file at the Nebraska
Library Commission.
The applicant must successfully submit the completed online application no later than 4:59 p.m., Central Time, on the appropriate deadline date.
The applicant will receive a confirmation e-mail after the online application is successfully submitted. A printable copy of the completed application will be available after the application is submitted.
Questions?
For inquiries regarding the nature of the grant program and
application, contact:
Kathryn Brockmeier, Grant Program Manager, by
e-mail,
402-471-4002 or 800-307-2665
Mary Jo Ryan, Grant Project Director, by
e-mail,
402-471-3434 or 800-307-2665
For technical
support while completing the application online, contact:
Janet
Greser, Computer Help Desk Support, by
e-mail, 402-471-2010
or 800-307-2665
Vern Buis, Computer Services Director,
by
e-mail, 402-471-4030 or 800-307-2665
As Nebraska’s state library agency, the
Nebraska Library Commission
is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The
mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and
coordination of library and information services—“bringing together people
and information.”
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
http://www.imls.gov/.
Nebraska
Library
Commission
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.
