Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellows Program

About the Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellows Program A mid-career conference scholarship program to give ALA members who have been working in libraries or who have been library trustees/friends an understanding of ALA governance and to help them engage in the governance of the Association at any level. To ultimately provide a larger pool of ALA members who are interested in ALA governance. This program gives a jump start by making possible attendance at major professional governance activities within ALA.

In honor of Lois Ann Gregory-Wood’s approaching 50-year anniversary of service with ALA, ALA President Jim Neal and ALA Honorary Member, ALA Past President, and GLBTRT Councilor Ann K. Symons have proposed a new award to be given by the American Library Association and administered by the Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR). The proposal was endorsed by the ALA Executive Board at their 2017 Fall meeting and has the consent of Lois Ann GregoryWood. This proposal was presented to SSGC and reviewed by committee members. SSGC has voted to support this proposal and therefore we ask the ALA Council to approve this proposal. (see 2018 Council Document #31)

As Lois Ann Gregory-Wood approaches 50 years of service with ALA, it is appropriate for ALA to honor her long years of service and her unstinting commitment to the organization we all care for. Lois Ann started at ALA in 1968 working in a variety of ALA units before moving to PLA. For the last 27+ years she has been the ALA Council Secretariat responsible for the work of ALA Council. For hundreds of ALA Council members, past and present, she is the face of ALA Council and governance. We are proposing “The Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellows” award as a conference scholarship program for mid-career members who are interested in governance to attend a full cycle of ALA: a Midwinter and Annual Conference. This program will include a mentor component under the title: Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Supporter. This proposal was endorsed, in concept, by the ALA Executive Board at their Fall 2017 meeting. We also have the consent of Lois Ann Gregory-Wood to proceed with this honor. Further, this proposal fits with the strategic initiative of the Neal presidency to use ALA conference as a learning environment and use the wealth of experience of our members to help engage members into ALA governance. The purpose of the award is to give ALA members who have been working in libraries or who have been library trustees/friends an understanding of ALA governance and to help them engage in the governance of the Association at any level and to ultimately to provide a larger pool of ALA members who are interested in ALA governance. This program gives a jump start by making possible attendance at major professional governance activities within ALA.

Administered by:

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Award and Frequency

One to two fellows will be given stipends of $2,500 to offset the costs of attending ALA's conferences.

This award is given out on an annual basis.

Eligibility

  • Must be an ALA member.
  • Must have worked as a library worker or information professional for at least five (5) years, or have been a library board member, trustee, or friend for at least five (5) years.
  • Must have attended at least one ALA Annual Conference or ALA Midwinter Meeting.
  • Must show evidence of interest in, previous or current participation in governance at any level: high school, college, community, workplace, state or national organization, library organizations, ALA chapters or affiliates or any other governance experience.
  • Cannot be a current officer or member of an ALA Division or Round Table Board.

Applicant Responsibility

  • Must be able to travel to ALA Midwinter Meeting and ALA Annual Conference in the same "conference year."
  • Must be able to participate in several conference calls over the course of the award year.
  • Must complete a short evaluation of their experience within two (2) months after ALA's Annual Conference.

Application Instructions

You must log in with your ALA credentials to access the application.

Please complete the online application.

  • a statement (no more than 500 words) explaining why you are interested in the program and how the knowledge gained will benefit ALA, their library and their career
  • a copy of your CV

Contact Information

Cheryl Malden (Staff Liaison, June 1, 2021, to July 31, 2026) - cmalden@ala.org
Work Phone: (312) 280-3247
Fax: 312 944-3897
American Library Association
225 N Michigan Ave Ste 1300
Chicago, IL 60601-7616

Kimberly L. Redd (Staff Liaison, June 1, 2019, to June 30, 2026) - klredd@ala.org
Work Phone: (312) 280-4279
Fax: (312) 280-3256
American Library Association
225 N Michigan Ave Ste 1300
Chicago, IL 60601-7616

Sheryl Reyes (Staff Liaison, June 1, 2021, to June 30, 2024) - sreyes@ala.org
Work Phone: 312-280-4230
American Library Association
225 N Michigan Ave Ste 1300
Chicago, IL 60601-7616

Holly Robison (Staff Liaison, February 1, 2023, to February 1, 2030) - hrobison@ala.org
American Library Association
225 N Michigan Ave Ste 1300
Chicago, IL 60601-7616

Displaying active committee roster as of 03/19/2024. Last retrieved on 03/19/2024. Members can log in and refresh page to view full contact information for committee members.

Selection Criteria

  • Does the applicant meet the basic requirements?
  • Quality and completeness of the applicant statement.
  • Does the applicant demonstrate potential to become more actively involved in ALA governance?

Notification

The individual selected for the award will be notified by the end of October.