The Ruth Gordon Gadfly award is given annually to a current American Library Association (ALA) member who is retired from full-time employment. The $1,000 Award will be granted for travel expenses (e.g., registration, transportation, housing, food) directly related to the Award recipient's attendance at the ALA Annual Conference. Named for Ruth Gordon, a librarian, teacher and supporter of civil liberties who passed away in 2016.
To be eligible for the Award, an applicant must:
- Be an ALA member
- Be retired from full-time paid employment
- Document a record of active ALA involvement prior to - and during - retirement. The applicant will describe their activity in the profession and in professional associations.
- Have not previously received either the Ruth Gordon Gadfly Travel Allowance Award or the Norman Horrocks-Rowman & LIttlefield Press Annual Conference Travel Award.
- Not apply for both the Norman-Rowman & Littlefield Press Conference Travel Award and the Ruth Gordon Gadfly Travel Allowance Award to cover expenses for attendance at the same ALA Annual Conference.
Eligible applicants will provide the RMRT Awards Committee with a statement of no more than 500 words explaining how the applicant will benefit from - and contribute to - participation in the ALA Annual Conference. In a statement the applicant will also include information about the applicant's contribution to ALA and/or it's affiliates and chapters prior to - and during - retirement from full-time employment.
A person selected for the award will be recognized at the RMRT Annual Meeting at the ALA Annual Conference.
The $1,000 Award will be granted for travel expenses (e.g., registration, transportation, housing, food) directly related to the Award recipient's attendance at the ALA Conference. The recipient will be reimbursed up to $1,000 in actual expenses, supported by generally acceptable receipts. The recipient will receive $500 in advance before Annual Conference and will receive the balance after Annual Conference once receipts are submitted.
If the recipient does not make it to the Annual Conference, the $500 advance must be returned.
Apply for the Ruth Gadfly Travel Grant Application
Deadline for application is March 16, 2024.