Access to Scholarships and Other MLA Restricted Funds

July 23, 2020

The Michigan Library Association (MLA) is committed to promoting and advancing the library profession. To demonstrate this commitment, MLA provides close to $10,000 annually for librarians and support staff at any Michigan library to attend MLA events. There are two specific funds that provide scholarships – the MLA Education Fund and the MLA/MALC Academic Library Fund. Look through the funds below and see if there are any that would provide a new opportunity for you.

MLA Education Fund

MLA has a scholarship fund to assist with defraying costs for attending MLA workshops, educational events and the annual conference.

Eligibility Requirements to receive a scholarship from the MLA Education Fund to attend MLA workshops and/or educational events:

• Applicant must be an individual member of MLA to qualify for an “Individual Member Scholarship.”
• Organizational members may apply for a scholarship on behalf of any staff member if that person is an individual member of MLA.
• Applicant must demonstrate financial need and effectively articulate the value of the scholarship to their work.
• Members are eligible to receive one scholarship per lifetime.

Scholarships in the MLA Education Fund for the 2020-2021 year are available now to apply for:

Application Deadlines

Click here to submit your application

MLA/MALC Academic Library Fund

When the Michigan Academic Library Council (MALC) ceased operation, their bylaws stipulated that any remaining assets must be transferred to another 501©3 organization. MALC graciously chose MLA to receive the funds. This academic scholarship fund will assist with defraying costs for attending MLA workshops, educational events and the annual conference.

Eligibility Requirements for MLA/MALC Academic Library Fund:

• Applicant must be currently enrolled in an accredited MLS/MLIS program.
• Applicant must be a professional librarian working in an academic library (MLS/MLIS requirement.)

Scholarships in the MLA/MALC Academic Library Fund for the 2020-2021 year are available now to apply for:

Download application: Librarian

Download application: Student

Restricted Funds

We also have a number of specific funds that are for restricted use only and provide emergency help to libraries who experience challenges in a variety of ways. These funds are also used when special projects and revenues are needed for MLA to move a concept forward. Monies in each of the following funds will be carried over from year to year and will not revert to MLA’s operating fund.  Direct fundraising by MLA continues to enhance these funds and provide libraries with needed support.

*Some funds have permanent donor restrictions for their use and are identified below.

Advocacy Fund

The Advocacy Fund was created as an additional source of revenue, separate from dues income, for the purpose of increasing awareness of and enhancing the image of libraries and librarians to the general public and elected officials.

Funds may be allocated to the following areas:

• Support MLA’s commitment to lobbying,
• Support ongoing communications with legislators and their staffs.
• Any activity that heightens public awareness of libraries.

Intellectual Freedom Fund

The Intellectual Freedom Fund of the MLA is to be used to support Michigan libraries and librarians engaged in defending intellectual freedom. Direct donations provide funds for this account.

Funds may be allocated to the following areas:

• Legal fees to support intellectual freedom defenses

Library Technology Fund

The Library Technology Fund was established with funds given by the disbanded “Librarians Using Computers” group.

Fund may be allocated to the following areas:

• Support the activities by underwriting programs, projects, and awards
• Support scholarships for continuing education

MLA Equity Fund*

The MLA Equity Fund is an individual grant opportunity created to reduce financial barriers and uplift the professional development of individuals currently underrepresented in the library profession. Application Deadline: August 1, 2020

Funds may be allocated to the following areas:

• Reduce financial barriers and uplift the professional development for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, North African, and Middle Eastern individuals.
• Provide resources to be used for memberships, attendance at workshops, educational events or conferences of applicants’ choosing.
• Provide resources for other purposes that applicants believe increase their ability to impact and transform the library profession.

W.H. Kaiser Memorial Fund*

The Walter H. Kaiser Memorial Award honors Walter Kaiser, who served as the director of the Wayne County Federated Library System for 26 years and was a nationally known library consultant, authority in local government, and innovator in technical services.

Funds are allocated to the following:

• Each year, a small cash award from the Kaiser Memorial Fund is presented to the Lifetime Achievement Librarian of the Year to a librarian who over the years has been associated with the broad educational goals of librarianship, who contributes an idea, procedure, concept or adaptation which results in the improvement of a library or libraries in Michigan.

Being able to provide resources to those in the library field for scholarships and other challenges is one of MLA’s hallmarks.  We hope that you will consider an overall gift to MLA or to any of these funds to help continue to support this valuable work.

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