Monday, February 7, 2005

Over 60 Spectrum Scholarships Available, Apply by March 1st

Join the next generation of library leaders!

If you are considering a degree in library and information science, or if you know a student, library worker, or college graduate from an underrepresented group who might help shape the future of library services, the time is now to learn more about the American Library Association's Spectrum Scholarships.

Spectrum will award a record 67 scholarships for 2005-2006! Spectrum provides a one-year $5,000 scholarship and over $1,500 in professional development opportunities to eligible American Indian/Alaska Native; Asian; Black/African American; Hispanic/Latino; and Native
Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students planning to attend an ALA-accredited graduate program in library and information studies or an ALA-recognized NCATE School Library Media program.

More information on the Spectrum Scholarships, including access to the online application and full eligibility info, can be found at www.ala.org/spectrum. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2005, so don't delay. Read more about this year's expanded opportunities below.

The American Library Association (ALA) has received a nearly $1 million grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to double the number of ALA Spectrum scholarship recipients for the next three years. Together, ALA and IMLS will fund 60 scholarships a year in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Additionally, the Medical Library Association (MLA) and National Library of Medicine (NLM) doubled their support of the ALA Spectrum
Scholarship program in 2005. In 2000, MLA and NLM pledged a 10-year commitment to support one Spectrum Scholarship a year to an individual who indicates interest in the field of health science librarianship.

Beginning in 2005, MLA/NLM will fund two scholarships a year through 2010 to support students from underrepresented groups to become health sciences information professionals.
Also in 2005, PLA will fund five Spectrum Scholars interested in pursuing public librarianship as a career. The five PLA Spectrum Scholars will be paired with a public librarian mentor; receive
underwriting for lodging and meals for two days of attendance at ALA's 2006 Annual Conference; receive travel, lodging, meals and registration for the PLA National Conference 2006 in Boston; and be provided with 2 years of complimentary PLA membership.

Established in 1997, Spectrum is the American Library Association's national diversity recruitment effort. Add to the new voices and new vision, find out more about Spectrum today by visiting www.ala.org/spectrum, emailing spectrum@ala.org or calling 1-800-545-2433 extension 5048. And don't forget to explore the full range of scholarships available from the American Library Association, including other diversity-focused scholarships such as the Century Scholarship for persons with disabilities and the LITA/OCLC and LITA/LSSI Minority Scholarships in Library and Information Technology. Information on all of ALA's many scholarship opportunities and access to the online application can be found at www.ala.org/scholarships.