Georgia Public Library Service and Valdosta State University Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant Scholarship Application About the Scholarship Program
This is a competitive scholarship. Students must be accepted for graduate admission by
Valdosta State University prior to receiving a scholarship award. The program requires
completion of the MLIS degree within seven semesters. Some special sessions will be
required of scholarship students. Scholarship recipients are expected to commit to work
in a public library in Georgia for three years after completion of the program, and to
actively participate in community building activities through leadership positions. Up to
15 applicants will be selected for each of the three entry periods (Fall 2010, Spring 2011,
and Fall 2011).
Deadlines for Applications
Applications must be postmarked by the following dates:
March 31, 2010 (for students entering Fall 2010)
October 31, 2010 (for students entering Spring 2011)
March 31, 2011 (for students entering Fall 2011)
Students not selected in the first or second group may be considered for subsequent entry
periods at their request.
Send Application and Supporting Materials to:
Dr. Wallace Koehler, Director
Director/Professor
Master of Library and Information Science Program
Odum Library
Valdosta State University
1500 N. Patterson St
Valdosta, GA 31698-0150
Direct questions about the application to Dr. Wallace Koehler, [email protected].
Information about the scholarship program, including this application, can be found
online: http://www.georgialibraries.org and http://www.valdosta.edu/mlis/.
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Applicant contact information
Mr.
Ms.
Last name: ______________________First name: __________________M.I._______
Home street address: ________________________________________Apt #________
City: _______________________________State:_______ZIP:___________________
Home/cell phone:_______________________________________________________
Preferred e-mail address:__________________________________________________
Complete
Highest degree already earned:________________________Date awarded:__________
GPA from last 2 years of degree:_________________
GRE verbal:________GRE math:________GRE analytic_________
Or
Miller Analogies Test:__________________
Affiliation/Employment
Georgia library (specify):________________________________________________
Other (specify):________________________________________________________
Not employed
Languages
In what languages can you provide library services? (list) ________________________
______________________________________________________________________
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Essays: Respond to the following essay questions. Start the first essay on a new sheet
(not the back of this one), but do not begin a new page for each response. Do not fasten
any pages together, but be sure your name is on every sheet. Your response to each
question should be single spaced, 12-point type, 350 words or fewer.
1. Describe your career goals as a public library leader and manager in Georgia.
2. Please react to this statement from the perspective of the public library
professional's role in building community:
As librarians participate in the movement to build community we are faced with a
continuum of challenges: becoming part of local community indicator initiatives on
one hand, and recognizing on the other that as part of the golden billion we are
workers in a trusted institution. Working in libraries, we have an opportunity to
enable people to aspire to greatness and to develop what Nobel laureate Amartva Sen
characterizes as "human capabilities." (pp. 339-340)
--"Community indicators, genuine progress, and the golden
billion" by Kathleen de la Pena McCook and Kristin Brand.
Reference and User Services Quarterly. Volume 40, Number 4
Summer 2001:337-340.
Reference contact at your place of work (likely same person who is writing letter of
recommendation, below)
Name:_________________________________________________________________
Position/title:____________________________________________________________
Library (or other organization):______________________________________________
Telephone:_________________________Email:________________________________
Your signature here (required) gives your permission for the scholarship application
committee, which includes representatives from Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS),
Valdosta State University’s Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program
and the Georgia public library directors, to view your application (including this cover
sheet, your essay, and the letter of recommendation submitted on your behalf).
Signature:_______________________________________________________________
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Letter of recommendation: Please arrange to have a librarian (or other supervisor) from
your workplace write a letter of recommendation for the scholarship, focusing on
your potential as a library leader and manager in Georgia. The letter writer should submit
it directly to:
Dr. Wallace Koehler, Director
Director/Professor
Master of Library and Information Science Program
Odum Library
Valdosta State University
1500 N. Patterson St
Valdosta, GA 31698-0150
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