Applications sought for LITA scholarships

Contact: Valerie Edmonds-Merritt


312-2804269

For Immediate Release


October 2002

Applications sought for LITA scholarships

The Library and Information Technology Association (LITA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is now accepting applications for four scholarships.
The deadline for applications and supporting documentation is March 1, 2003.

The scholarships are:

  • LITA/Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship, is geared to encouraging the entry of qualified persons into the library and information technology field who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and a vision in pursuit of library and information technology. The $3,000 scholarship is provided by Informata.com.
  • LITA/Sirsi Scholarship in Library and Information Technology, is designed to encourage the entry of qualified persons into the library automation field. The $2,500 scholarship is provided by Sirsi Corporation. The committee seeks applicants who plan to follow a career in library and information technology, hold a strong commitment to the use of automated systems in libraries, and who demonstrate academic excellence and potential leadership abilities.
  • LITA/OCLC Minority Scholarship is a $3,000 scholarship provided by OCLC. It is designed for those who plan to follow a career in library and information technology. Applicants must demonstrate potential leadership, hold a strong commitment to the use of automated systems in libraries and be members of a principal minority group (American Indian or Alaskan native, Asian or Pacific Islander, African-American or Hispanic/Latino). The recipient must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen.
  • LITA/Library Systems and Services, Inc. (LSSI) Minority Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship provided by LSSI. It is designed for those who plan to follow a career in library and information technology. Applicants must demonstrate potential leadership, hold a strong commitment to the use of automated systems in libraries and be members of a principal minority group (American Indian or Alaskan native, Asian or Pacific Islander, African-American or Hispanic/Latino). The recipient must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen.

    Candidates must illustrate their qualifications with three letters of reference and a personal statement indicating the nature of their library experience and describing what s/he can bring to the profession, with particular emphasis on experiences that indicate potential for leadership and commitment to library automation. Economic need is considered when all other criteria are equal. Winners must have been accepted to an ALA-accredited master's of library and information studies program.

    Application forms and instructions are available online at the
    HRDR website.
    All applications, references, transcripts and personal statements must be received no later than March 1, 2003, for consideration. Materials should be submitted to American Library Association, Scholarship Clearinghouse, c/o Human Resource Development & Recruitment, 50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2795. For more information, please contact the LITA Office at 800-545-2433, x4269, or email
    lita@ala.org.

    The winners will be announced and introduced, if present, at the LITA President's Program at the ALA Annual Conference in Toronto.