Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures invites nominations for its 2020-2021 awards and scholarships, including four awards run on behalf of ALA or with another ALA division and three scholarships from the previous divisions that support LIS students and international members. The following are Core awards and scholarships that are currently accepting nominations and applications.
Awards
ALA/AIA Library Building Awards
Application deadline January 12, 2021, 5 p.m. ET
Co-sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Library Association (ALA) and managed by the Core Library Buildings Awards Committee, the ALA/AIA Library Building Awards is an annual competition that recognizes excellence in the architectural design and planning of libraries. This award acknowledges and honors distinguished accomplishment in library architecture by an architect licensed in the U.S. for any library in the U.S. or abroad.
Frederick G. Kilgour Award for Research in Library and Information Technology
Application deadline January 1, 2021
The Frederick G. Kilgour Award for Research in Library and Information Technology is designed to bring attention to research relevant to the development of information technologies, especially work which shows promise of having a positive and substantive impact on any aspect of the publication, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information, or the processes by which information and data is manipulated and managed. The intent is to recognize a body of work probably spanning years, if not the majority of a career. Nominations are accepted from any member of the American Library Association, although the person nominated does not need to be an ALA member. This award is co-sponsored by OCLC and facilitated by the Frederick G. Kilgour Award Committee.
Scholarships
Online Course Scholarship for Library Professionals from Developing Countries
The next application cycle is December 7, 2020 – January 4, 2021
Aimed at assisting library professionals from developing countries stay current with the latest trends and developments in Core’s areas of focus and enhancing their professional knowledge and skills in librarianship and information science, the Core Online Course Scholarship for Library Professionals from Developing Countries grants one free seat per Core online continuing education course session to librarians and information professionals from developing countries. To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must have a degree in library or information science (e.g., a four-year undergraduate degree or master’s), be enrolled in a library or information science program in a developing country, or be working as a librarian or information professional in a developing country; be a legal national from a qualifying developing country living in this country; have working knowledge of English; and have technical abilities to participate in an online course. This scholarship is managed by the Core International Relations Committee.
Christian (Chris) Larew Memorial Scholarship in Library and Information Technology
Application open through March 1, 2021
Co-sponsored by Baker & Taylor, the Core/Christian (Chris) Larew Memorial Scholarship is intended for those who plan to follow a career in library and information technology, demonstrate potential leadership, and hold a strong commitment to library automation. Criteria for the scholarship includes previous academic excellence, evidence of leadership potential, and a commitment to a career in library automation and information technology. Candidates should illustrate their qualifications for this scholarship with a statement indicating the nature of their library experience, letters of reference, and a personal statement of the applicant’s view of what he or she can bring to the profession, emphasizing experiences that indicate a potential for leadership and commitment to library technology. Candidates must not have earned more than 12 credit hours towards a Master of Library Science (MLS) degree from an MLS program recognized by ALA. The Christian Larew Scholarship Committee reviews all applications and selects the scholarship winner.
Core/OCLC Spectrum Scholarship in Library and Information Technology
Application open through March 1, 2021
The Spectrum Scholarship Program actively recruits and provides scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern and North African, and/or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students to assist them with obtaining a graduate degree and leadership positions within the profession and ALA. As part of this program, the Core/OCLC Spectrum Scholarship in Library and Information Technology focuses on addressing the specific issue of under-representation of racially and ethnically diverse librarians within library technology, providing scholarships for study in an ALA-accredited MLS program as well as funds to attend the Spectrum Leadership Institute held during the ALA Annual Conference. OCLC co-sponsors this scholarship and the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse reviews the applications and selects the scholarship winner.
