Georgia Public Library Service is pleased to offer scholarships to support the continuing education of librarians and library staff across the state to help defray costs of attending online or in-person conferences and workshops.
In-state conference/learning opportunity: Up to $750
Out-of-state conference/learning opportunity: Up to $1,250
Virtual conference/learning opportunity: Up to $500
Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis and applicants will be notified within 30 days of the application deadline.
September 1 - deadline for events occurring in November, December, January
December 1 - deadline for events occurring in February, March, April
March 1 - deadline for events occurring in May, June, or July
June 1 - deadline for events occurring in August, September, or October
Applicants must be employed at a Georgia public library.
Applicants can only apply once per fiscal year.
The amount awarded is based on the needs of the applicant. Scholarship funding can be used for travel, registration fees, and online professional development classes and workshops. (University and college courses are excluded.)
Please note that the travel portion of the scholarships are paid after an event is attended. GPLS’ portion of the scholarship will come in the form of a reimbursement to the library system of the winner for travel costs, including room and board. Please copy and paste the following web address to access the GPLS’ travel reimbursement procedures. https://georgialibraries.org/stategrants_accounting/Travel_Reimbursement_Procedures_non-employees.pdf
Selection Criteria
Complete responses
Clear articulation of a professional goal(s)
Impact on current professional practice
Preference will be given to those presenting or have an active role at the event
Application Procedures
Complete responses
Impact on current professional practice must be communicated
Preference will be given to first-time scholarship applicants
Must agree to complete and share key takeaways and newly acquired knowledge with Georgia’s public library staff in the form of a short conference review. Applicants will receive a prompt to complete after your attendance.
General Application: https://forms.gle/Ey3w8dSyvD1U2rr16
ARSL Scholarship Application: This year's conference is September 20-23, 2023, in Wichita, Kansas. Since there are limited funds available, only five travel grants of up to $1,200 will be awarded. Priority will be given to first-time conference attendees from the RPLAC-designated Rural library types https://georgialibraries.org/rplac/rplac-representation/. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 30th, 2023, and the winner will be notified on Monday, July 10th, 2023. The application form will close after the deadline. https://forms.gle/muVtQZQExrwz2Wvx6
Peer review volunteers are essential in supporting GA public library staff in deciding which professional development opportunities to pursue. Please share your library-related professional development recommendations here.
The amount awarded is based on the needs of the applicant. Scholarship funding can be used for registration fees, online professional development classes, and workshops. (University and college courses are excluded.)
Reimbursement scholarships will be given on a first-come, first-to-qualify basis. The application page will close once funding is no longer available. There will be an opportunity to apply for the scholarship next fiscal year.
Please note that the scholarships are paid after an event is attended. GPLS’ portion of the scholarship will come in the form of a reimbursement to the scholarship recipient's library system. Please copy and paste the following web address to access the GPLS travel reimbursement procedures.
GPLS Travel Reimbursement Procedures
All scholarship recipients' invoices must be submitted by June 10th, 2023.