The New York Library Association’s Public Libraries Section (PLS) is currently taking applications for NYLA Conference Scholarships, Building Awards, and a Best Practices Award.
Application deadline for all awards is June 30, 2016.
2016 NYLA Conference Awards
PLS is pleased to offer five (5) Conference Scholarship awards to encourage public librarians (professional degree not required) now in the field, or students in library school, to participate in NYLA or PLS activities. Each award maximum is $1200.00, which includes full conference registration, travel or other conference related expenses and membership in NYLA and PLS if the winner is not already a member. Additionally, the winner will be asked to help with staffing at the PLS booth at the conference. The winner(s) is expected to attend the annual conference including the awards ceremony. Award recipients are selected by the PLS Board upon the recommendation of the PLS awards committee.
Eligibility Requirements:
You need not be a current member of NYLA or PLS to apply. Professional Degree is not required.
Application, in the form of a letter, must include:
* Why you wish to attend the Conference
* How you plan to integrate the experience into your work
* How you plan to share your experience with your fellow professionals
* How the award will influence your professional goals.
Applicants must submit receipts and proof of reimbursement by other sources within 30 days after the conference. Only one award may be received in your lifetime.
To apply for a PLS NYLA Conference Scholarship, please email a letter meeting the criteria outlined above to: rmaguire@onlib.org.Please put “2016 PLS Conference Scholarship Award” in the subject line. Questions may be sent to the same email address.
PLS Public Libraries Building Awards
The Building Awards will go to a library in a community serving less than 20,000 in population, as well as a library in a community of over 20,000 in population. The focus of the two awards is the impact that a construction project has had on the library’s ability to provide services to its community. Emphasis will be placed on projects that demonstrate cost effective solutions to space challenges as well as innovative usage of space and floor plans. These Building Awards are for renovation and restoration projects only. New Construction Projects may be nominated in 2017.
Both libraries will receive a $1,000 cash award, a display plaque and an official press release from the Public Libraries Section of NYLA for the library to distribute to local media outlets.
Eligibility Requirements:
* A Public Library in New York State
* Attendance at the 2016 NYLA Conference
* Current Public Libraries Section Board Member Libraries’ are Ineligible
* Previous Winners are Ineligible
Applicants must submit a 2 page maximum narrative that includes:
* Demographic information about the community: population served, annual budget, annual circulation
* Before and after photographs
* Before and after floor plans
* Goals and objectives
* Project budget
* Explanation of need, planning involved, community benefits, public response, press coverage.
* Copies of marketing material that was utilized to inform the community of the project and to gain support
* Photographs, floor plans and marketing materials may be submitted as addendums.
The project must have been complete by December 31, 2015.
To apply for a Public Libraries Building Award, please email a narrative meeting the criteria outlined above to: rmaguire@onlib.org.Please put “Public Libraries Building Award” in the subject line.
PLS Best Practices Award
PLS Best Practices Award will be given to a public library or public library system that has focused on the best use of Web technology to promote library services.
The award winner will receive a $1,000 award, a display plaque and an official press release from the Public Libraries Section of NYLA to distribute to its local media outlets.
Eligibility Requirements:
* A Public Library or Public Library System in New York State
* Attendance at the 2016 NYLA Conference
* Current Public Libraries Section Board Member Libraries’ are Ineligible
* Previous Winners are ineligible
Each letter of nomination must be accompanied by: (2 page maximum)
* Details of the technology used, with appropriate links.
* Description of why the technology was implemented.
* Information about the library “after” the technology was implemented and how the changes have affected library service.
* Demographic information about the community, population served, annual budget, and annual circulation.
The project must have been complete by December 31, 2015.
To apply for a Public Libraries Best Practices Award, please email a letter meeting the criteria outlined above to: rmaguire@onlib.org.Please put “Public Libraries Best Practices Award” in the subject line.
Questions can be submitted to: rmaguire@onlib.org.
Information on all awards is available HERE.