Handbook
Related Documents IV: Educational Grants
Purpose
The purpose of the TS-SIS educational grants program is to provide financial assistance to librarians who might not otherwise be able to attend an AALL-sponsored event due to limited financial resources. Funds are provided by TS-SIS from dues and private contributions and are a benefit of membership in both AALL and TS-SIS.
The Marla Schwartz grant is a special educational grant intended for newer law librarians and graduate students in library/information studies programs. This grant was established to honor Marla's memory and achievements.
Grants will be awarded to support attendance at AALL-sponsored educational events related to technical services, including cataloging, preservation, acquisitions, collection development, serials, and management. Grants will not be awarded for non-AALL affiliated programs.
The Marla Schwartz grant may be awarded to support attendance at any of the events listed above, and/or, it may be used to support attendance at CONELL. While an applicant for the Schwartz grant need not be a member of AALL or TS-SIS, the Awards Committee will give preference to those who plan careers in technical services law librarianship.
The amount of each grant will be limited to the cost of registration for the AALL-sponsored educational event. Grant recipients must provide receipts in order to be reimbursed for any registration fees they have paid up front.
The TS-SIS Awards Committee is responsible for announcing the availability of grants and overseeing the application and selection process.
Deadlines
Depending on program availability, application deadlines will be announced up to five (5) months prior to educational events.
Applications are due three (3) months before the scheduled event, or as the Awards Committee determines. Successful applicants will be announced within a month after applications are due.
Eligibility
- Applicants for general grants must be current members of TS-SIS.
- Applicants for the Marla Schwartz grant do not need to be members of either AALL or TS-SIS.
Selection Criteria
The committee will take into account the following criteria in selecting grant recipients.
General grants
- Financial need
- Individuals who have not previously attended an AALL sponsored educational event
- Individuals who have not previously received a TS-SIS sponsored educational grant
- New or student members of TS-SIS who have demonstrated potential for professional development or scholarly activity.
Marla Schwartz grants
- Financial need
- Individuals who have not previously attended an AALL sponsored educational event
- Individuals who have not previously received a TS-SIS sponsored educational grant
- New or student members of TS-SIS who have demonstrated potential for professional development or scholarly activity
- Students in library science/information studies programs who may not be a member of either AALL or TS-SIS, but who plan careers in technical services law librarianship.
Responsibilities of Grant Recipients
Each grant recipient is expected to write a report for TSLL describing his/her participation in the educational event for which the grant was awarded.
Application Process
Each applicant must submit an application which includes:
- current position and relevant previous positions
- estimate of expenses for attending the event
- statement of how much financial support will be provided by the applicant's employer
- expected graduation date (for student applicants)
- brief statement (200 words maximum) explaining why the applicant is applying for the grant
- two (2) references supporting the application by individuals who are familiar with the applicant's work or the applicant's interest in professional development as a technical services law librarian
Selection and Notification
The Awards Committee will review the applications and select one or more individuals to receive a grant. These individuals will be notified by telephone within a month after applications are due. Announcements will be posted to the TS-SIS and law-lib online discussion lists and will be included in TSLL.