Even in the current online world of e-readers and news websites, finding scholarships for library science majors to fund your master’s program is difficult. However, since the Internet’s inception, library science has evolved to also include the management and organizing of knowledge resources in different mediums. The majority of prospective librarians pursue a Master of Library Science (MLS) or Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from an ALA-accredited school. Despite the fact that work opportunities are restricted, librarian employment is predicted to expand by 7% by 2022, adding around 11,000 open roles in public, private, university, and professional libraries. Below are 25 of the greatest library science scholarship programs, whether you want to work categorizing literature, conducting research, or inspiring a love of reading in others. These scholarships will help you to finance your education if you are genuinely passionate about library science. All of these scholarships will require you to show that you are extremely passionate about library science. The scholarships provide different amounts but will definitely help you in your educational journey. Go through our list and pick your favourite scholarship according to your priorities, and all the best!
1. APALA Scholarship Program
The Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) offers a $1,000 scholarship to a candidate of Asian or Pacific Islander background who has been accepted into an ALA-accredited master’s or doctoral program in library and information science each and every year. Applicants must be U.S. or Canadian citizens, have a current APALA member, be enrolled full-time or part-time in library school by this autumn, and write a one-page essay explaining the librarian’s function in the twenty-first century. A $1000 scholarship will be given out. The money is distributed in $500 installments at the start of the fall and spring semesters. The Scholarship & Awards Committee, however, shall have the right to grant further scholarships as allowed by the Executive Board if the Scholarship Fund grows to the point where sufficient income is available to fund upwards of one scholarship in a given year. The same criterion will be used to grant further grants.
Provided By: APALA
Amount: 1000 USD
Deadline: April 25th
Education: High School Graduate
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2. Bernard Vavrek Scholarship Award
After lecturing at Clarion University from 1971 to 2008, Dr. Bernard Vavrek, Professor of Library Science and Chair of the Library Science Department, just resigned. He co-founded the “Great American Bookmobile Conference” with John Philip and ran it for several seasons until ABOS was established and took over administration. This award recognizes Dr. Vavrek’s dedication to library science, particularly bookmobile and outreach services. “To contribute to the learning and skills of library employees working on-site of bookmobile and outreach services,” according to the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services’ mission statement. The Bernard Vavrek Scholarship was established by ABOS to aid in the achievement of this goal. It will be given to a student who is officially enrolled in a Library and/or Information Science graduate degree program and has completed one semester, and is interested in a particular topic within the library profession. The Bernard Vavrek Scholarship Award, worth $1,000, is given yearly by the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS) to graduate students enrolling in a master’s degree program in library and/or data science. Applicants must complete an ALA-accredited library school in the United States, have a 3.0 overall GPA, submit two letters of recommendation, and show a strong interest in marketing or bookmobile librarianship.
Provided By: Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services
Amount: 1000 USD
Deadline: August 1st
Education: High School Graduate
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3. Brooks McNamara Librarian Scholarship
The Theatrical Library Association (TLA) awards the Brooks McNamara Librarian Scholarship each year for $500 to talented individuals engaged in performing arts librarianship in honor of the renowned theatre historian, scholar, and educator who built the Shubert Archive. Applicants must have excelled in performing arts libraries while pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science (MLS) degree or archive training program in the United States.
Provided By: TLA
Amount: 500 USD
Deadline: May 30th
Education: High School Graduate
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4. Caroline M Howins Scholarship at Hartford Public Library
The Caroline M. Hewins Scholarship Fund was created in 1926 as a homage to one of America’s greatest pioneers in library science, Caroline M. Hewins, in honor of her innovative work for children in the united states. The Hartford Librarian’s Club established the Fund as a special gift to Miss Hewins on her fiftieth anniversary as Librarian of the Hartford Public Library. When Miss Hewins decided to use this gift as the foundation for a scholarship award, she received substantial donations from family, friends, and professional associates across Connecticut and the United States, ensuring that the Scholarship would have a political culture in keeping with the Librarian’s memory. The Hartford Public Library serves as administrator for the Fund, and current income allows for a $4,000 annual scholarship award. The scholarship is open to those who want to work in a library with children who have achieved or are about to obtain a four-year undergraduate degree, as well as those who have enrolled to or are currently undergoing an American Library Association-accredited library school. Candidates who intend to work in public libraries will be given priority.
Provided By: TLA
Amount: 500 USD
Deadline: May 30th
Education: High School Graduate
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5. Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship at LITA
The Library and Information Technology Association (LITA), a part of the American Library Association, and Baker & Taylor jointly offer the LITA / Christian (Chris) Larew Memorial Scholarship, which was established in 1999 and is now valued at $3,000, on an annual basis. The award is aimed to promote suitable individuals to enter the library and information technology professionals, who desire to pursue a career in the industry, and who display academic quality, initiative, and a vision in the subject. This award is for a Master of Library Science (MLS) program that has been accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). Candidates should demonstrate their credentials for this fellowship with a statement describing their library expertise, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement outlining the applicant’s vision of what he or she can bring to the profession, emphasizing life experience that demonstrates leadership potential and dedication to library technology. Applicants must have completed at least 12 college credits toward a Master in Library Science from an ALA-accredited MLS program.
Provided By: LITA
Amount: 3000 USD
Deadline: May 30th
Education: March 1st
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6. Friends of the Library of Hawaii Scholarship
Every year, the Friends of the Library of Hawai’i grants up to $25,000 in grants to Hawai’i citizens pursuing a Master’s Degree in Library Science at the University of Hawai’i. Students who are presently studying in the University of Hawaii’s Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences or who have been approved for admission in the fall or spring semester are eligible for the grants. Applicants must submit the required FLH Scholarship Application, as well as all needed materials (see below), by May 24th to be eligible for a scholarship. Applications that are incomplete will not be evaluated. Students must live in Hawaii, be approved for admission, submit official undergraduate credentials, attach two letters of recommendation, and compose a personal letter outlining their career aspirations in librarianship.
Provided By: Friends of the Library Hawaii
Amount: 25,000 USD
Deadline: May 29th
Education: High School Graduate
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7. Ginny Frankenthaler Memorial Scholarship at SELA
Bud Frankenthaler, Ginny Frankenthaler’s husband, has generously donated to the Ginny Frankenthaler Memorial Scholarship in Library Science. Mrs. Frankenthaler thought that their free library system is the foundation for a successful life and that the finest gifts a person can have are pleasant recollections and knowledge, both of which are open library system provides for free. The scholarship’s goal is to find beginning public librarians with leadership potential and a dedication to serving in libraries in the Southeast United States*. The fellowship grants financial support for the pursuit of a master’s degree in library science from an American Library Association-accredited institution.
Provided By: N/A
Amount: Varies
Deadline: May 30th
Education: High School Graduate
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8. Gloria Hoegh Rural Librarians Scholarship at Wisconsin Library Association
Gloria Hoegh’s outstanding library career is honored with this annual award. Ms. Hoegh began working at the Oshkosh Public Library in 1958 and rose through the ranks to become the Winnefox Library System’s first Coordinator in 1978. She had a deep interest in remote and tiny public libraries throughout her lengthy tenure. The Gloria Hoegh Rural Librarians Scholarship, worth $1,150, is offered annually by the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) to provide financial support for continuing education or master classes in library science to librarians currently employed in a Wisconsin library serving a community of fewer than 5,000 people. Applicants must submit an online form that includes a resume or CV, a letter of recommendation, and a 500-word personal essay demonstrating their commitment to rural librarianship.
Provided By: Wisconsin Library Association
Amount: 900 USD
Deadline: June 15th
Education: High School Graduate
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9. Hubbard Scholarship Fund at Peterson’s
The Hubbard Scholarship Fund was founded by the Georgia Library Association (GLA) in honor of Mr. C.S. Hubbard, one of the state’s early supporters of libraries. It awards $3,000 annually to a qualified graduate student who is currently enrolled in a master’s degree program in library science. Applicants must be in their senior year at a recognized Georgia university, starting graduate school this fall, maintaining passing grades, and agreeing to work in a library-related capacity in Georgia for one year after graduation.
Provided By: GLA
Amount: 3000 USD
Deadline: May 23rd
Education: High School Graduate
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10. The James S. McPhee Memorial Scholarship at Nevada Library Association
The James S. McPhee Memorial Scholarship fund was established to provide financial assistance to Nevada Library Association members in good academic standing who are pursuing library scientific education. Those chosen for an award from this fund must demonstrate the ability to emulate James S. McPhee’s commitment to Nevada libraries. During the late 1980s, Jim was the director of UNLV’s Education Programme and a proponent of school library programs throughout southern Nevada. He was passionate about free thought and used his status as chair of the NLA Intellectual Freedom Committee to keep this goal at the forefront of Nevada Library Association operations. In 1995, James S. McPhee died unexpectedly.
Provided By: Nevada Library Association
Amount: Varies
Deadline: May 1st
Education: High School graduate
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