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Student Writing & Development Award

Definition and Purpose
The LAMA/YBP Student Writing and Development Award is given to honor the best article on a topic in the area of library administration and management written by a student enrolled in a library and information studies graduate program. The purpose of this award is to enhance the professional development of students of library and information studies through publication of the winning article in Library Administration & Management, the LAMA magazine, and enabling the award recipient to attend the ALA Annual Conference.

The winning article will be published in a future issue of Library Administration & Management. The award recipient will also receive a travel grant of up to $1,000, funded by YBP, Inc., to be used to attend the ALA Annual Conference, where he/she will be recognized at the LAMA President's Program, the first meeting of the LAMA Board of Directors, and have the opportunity to attend other conference programs.

2007 Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA) President’s Theme

“Library Administration and Management Association: Learning, Leading, Looking Forward.”

LAMA’s mission is to encourage and nurture future leaders, and to develop and promote outstanding leadership and management practices. In celebration of LAMA’s 50th anniversary, entrants are asked to address the relevance of membership in professional library associations for library school students and new librarians. The essay can address one or more of the following questions:

 Eligibility
At the time the paper is submitted, the applicant must:

1. Be currently enrolled in an ALA accredited program of library and information studies at the masters or Ph.D. level.
    
2. Be a current student member of ALA and LAMA or join prior to acceptance of the award.
    
3. Submit an original manuscript according to the guidelines and criteria outlined below.

Length
4,000 to 6,000 words.

Criteria for Selection
Selection is based upon the quality and appropriateness of the submitted manuscripts. Manuscripts will be selected based on the following criteria: relevance to the announced theme, applicability to a variety of library settings, originality of ideas, persuasiveness of arguments, quality of writing, clarity of presentation, and contribution to the continuing education of the LAMA membership.

Guidelines for Submission
Submissions must include a completed application form signed by the Dean or Director of the ALA accredited program of library and information studies in which the applicant is enrolled.

Only original, unpublished articles may be entered in the contest. Do not submit manuscripts being considered for publication elsewhere. Manuscripts should be of timely and practical interest on multiple and diverse generations and may be applicable to a variety of library settings, including public, academic, and special libraries and library and information studies programs.

The author is responsible for the accuracy of all statements in the article. Bibliographic citations must be complete and accurate. All quotations must be verified.

Submit manuscripts in both printed form and as an electronic file. All copies should include name, address, and phone number(s) of authors. Print copies should be double-spaced on 8-1/2-by-11-inch paper.  All quoted text should also be typed double-spaced. On a separate page, print the title and subtitle, followed by a brief abstract. The electronic file should be in .txt or .doc format and sent as an e-mail attachment to lama@ala.org.

For further information, see "Instructions to Authors" in Library Administration and Management, vol. 19, no. 1 (Winter 2005) or http://www.ala.org/lama then click on the navigation item "Publications" followed by "Library Administration and Management.

Selection Committee
Members include the Editor of Library Administration & Management, one member of the LA&M Editorial Advisory Board, and two members of the LAMA President's Program Planning Committee.

Submission and Deadline
Submit completed application forms and manuscripts: Kerry Ward, LAMA, 50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611. E-mail file to lama@ala.org.

The deadline for application is March 1, 2008.

Notification and Presentation of Award
LAMA will notify the successful applicant by May 1, 2008. The recipient will be recognized at the LAMA President's Program and the first meeting of the LAMA Board of Directors at the ALA Annual Conference.

If no suitable manuscripts are received, no award will be made.

Special Requirements
The recipient must attend the 2007 ALA Annual Conference. Failure to complete the travel will necessitate withdrawal of the award unless an extension is granted by LAMA for extenuating circumstances.

Within a month after the conclusion of the Annual Conference, the award recipient must submit a detailed report describing the recipient's activities at the conference to the LAMA office. An expense report and original receipts must be included with the report. Eligible expenses are conference registration fees, lodging at an ALA conference hotel, meals (not to exceed the ALA per diem rate), transportation to and from the conference city, and ground transportation. Expenses shall be funded by YBP, Inc. to a maximum of $1,000.