Student Scholarship

The Association of Jewish Libraries is pleased to announce three separate awards for 2019:

1) An academic scholarship of $1000 to a student enrolled or accepted in a graduate school of library and information science. Additionally, free full conference registration is included and encouraged.

2) A conference subvention award for attending the Association of Jewish Libraries annual conference. Free full conference registration, travel and (shared) room are included.

Prospective candidates should have knowledge of and interest in Jewish studies, and demonstrate the potential, ability, and intention of pursuing a career in Judaica librarianship.

The Association of Jewish Libraries awards scholarships to promising students with a history of participating in Judaic studies or libraries, and accepted into or attending an accredited graduate school of library and information science. This scholarship is merit-based rather than needs-based. AJL welcomes and highly encourages award recipients’ involvement in the organization through volunteer and mentorship opportunities. Awardees who attend the conference will additionally benefit from special programming geared toward first-time attendees and networking with librarians at all career stages and specializations.

Free full conference registration is included and encouraged. AJL membership is not required for eligibility.

Eligibility

AJL membership is not required for eligibility.

You must provide proof of acceptance for the next academic year or proof of current enrollment in one of the following:

• An ALA accredited library school in the United States or Canada
• An accredited library school in either the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand
• Graduate library school programs in Israel

Transcripts and/or letters on official letterhead, submitted via regular surface mail, will be accepted as documentation.

AND

Documentation showing

• Completion of Jewish Studies courses at an academic level or
• Extensive participation in less formal Jewish Studies or
• Experience working in Judaica libraries or
• Any combination of the above

AND

A short statement of 200/300 words highlighting the extent of your participation in Judaic studies, in libraries, and other relevant experiences. Relate how you feel your involvement in such activities might be reflected in your future career in library and information science. The personal statement should be submitted through the application form.

Please note that you may apply for this scholarship more than once but you may receive it only once during your graduate library school career.

Applying for an AJL Scholarship

Students who wish to apply for this scholarship and/or conference subvention should submit to the Scholarship co-chair by April 15, 2020:

1. Completed online application or application form sent via e-mail to [email protected]
2. Documentation of acceptance or enrollment in one of the qualified graduate library school programs mentioned above. Transcripts and/or letters on official letterhead, submitted via e-mail or uploaded via the online form.
3. Documentation of Jewish studies completed at an academic or less formal level or of experience working in Judaica libraries. Transcripts and/or letters on official letterhead, submitted via e-mail or uploaded via the online form, will be accepted as documentation.
4. Personal statement as a Word, RTF or PDF document, submitted via e-mail or uploaded via the online form to the Scholarship co-chair.

Please submit a short statement (200/300 words) highlighting the extent of your participation in Judaic studies, in libraries, and other relevant experiences. Relate how you feel your involvement in such activities might be reflected in your future career in library and information science.

Submit application and supporting materials online or send via e-mail to: [email protected]

FINAL DATE FOR SUBMITTING ALL ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION: April 15, 2020.

Contributing to the AJL Scholarship Fund

Contributions to the scholarship fund are gratefully accepted. If they are bestowed in someone's honor or memory, a card will be sent to the individual or family. Checks may be sent to Sarah Barnard at this address:

     Sarah Barnard
     5646 Hunters Lake
     Cincinnati, OH 45249
     Phone: 513-405-2057

AJL Scholarship Recipients