Purpose
The Minority Leadership Development Award was created in 2001 to nurture leaders for the future and to introduce minority law librarians to leadership opportunities within the Association. The Award shall consist of the following benefits: travel, lodging, and registration expenses for one recipient to attend the AALL Annual Meeting & Conference; an experienced AALL leader to serve as the recipient’s mentor for at least one year; and an opportunity to serve on an AALL committee during the year following the Award.
Process
Qualifications
As of the February 1 application deadline, the applicant must meet all of the following criteria to be considered for the award:
- Be a member of a minority group as defined by current U.S. government guidelines as found in 62 F.R. 58782;
- Have a strong academic record and have earned a Master’s degree in Library/Information Science;
- Have no more than five years of professional (post-MLS or post-JD) library or information service work experience;
- Be a current member of AALL;
- Have been a member of AALL for at least two years or have two years of full-time, professional law library work experience; and
- Demonstrate leadership potential.
Instructions
Download the Minority Leadership Development Award Application
Submit an application package containing:
- Completed application form
- A current resume or c.v.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate your law library employment experience or relevant graduate education commenting on your present and potential contributions to AALL and the field of law librarianship
- A brief (500- to 1000-word) essay on how your career has been influenced by belonging to a minority group and how you hope to impact the profession and the Association as you become a leader
Deadline
The complete application package must be received by February 1, and will be eligible for review for two consecutive annual award cycles.
Please email the application and supporting documents to Heidi Letzmann.
Resources
Find tips for writing effective personal statements and having references write strong letters of recommendation:
- “Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Writing effective personal statements for AALL Annual Meeting/workshop grants” by Michele Finerty
- “Lending a Hand: Suggestions for writing better letters of recommendation for AALL Annual Meeting/workshop grants” by Pauline Afuso
Winners
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2010–2019 2019
Marcelo Rodriguez
Research and Training Librarian
U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
New York, NY
2018
Zanada Joyner
Digital Services Librarian
North Carolina Central University
School of Law Library
Durham, NC
2017
Clanitra Stewart Nejdl
Reference & Instructional Services Librarian and Assistant Professor
Northern Illinois University College of Law Library
DeKalb, IL
2016
Janeen Williams
Reference Librarian
North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC
2015
Daniella Mia Lee-Garcia
Librarian Ninth Circuit Library
United States Court of Appeals
Fresno, CA
2014
Stephanie Hayes
Assistant Director for Resources
Florida State University College of Law Research Center
Tallahassee, FL
2013
Ann Lee
Knowledge Management Content Coordinator
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
New York, NY
2012
Eugenia J. Charles-Newton
Faculty Services Librarian
Texas Tech University School of Law
Lubbock, TX
2011
Michelle Cosby
Faculty Services Librarian
North Carolina Central University School of Law Library
Durham, NC
2010
Sean H. Crane
University of Arizona, Cracchiolo Law Library -
2002–2009 2009
None awarded
2008
Lauren Collins
Duke University School of Law Library
2007
Dennis C. Kim-Prieto
Reference Librarian
Rutgers School of Law-Newark
Newark, NJ
2006
Joy Shoemaker (Hanson)
Duke University Law Library
Durham, NC
2005
Ronald E. Wheeler Jr.
Head of Faculty and Public Services, Lecturer III
University of New Mexico Law Library
Albuquerque, NM
2004
June S. Kim
Reference Librarian
UCLA School of Law, Hugh & Hazel Darling Law Library
Los Angeles, California
2003
Christopher Bloodworth
Access Services Librarian
Arthur Neef Law Library
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
2002
Tanya Brown
Head Librarian
Spiegel & McdDiarmid
Washington, DCDonna Nixon
Reference Librarian
Katherine W. Everett Law Library
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC