ALSC Bound to Stay Bound Books scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Bound to Stay Bound Books Inc.

Intro
The Bound to Stay Bound Books (BTSB) Scholarship supports students planning to pursue an MLS or other advanced degree who intend to work in children’s library services. Four awards of $8,000 each are offered annually. Eligible work includes service to children through age 14 in any kind of library. This scholarship is administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and funded by Bound to Stay Bound Books, Incorporated. Bound to Stay Bound Books has sponsored professional growth for children’s librarians through this scholarship since 1985; the program’s 30th anniversary was celebrated in 2015 in a commemorative Children and Libraries article featuring past recipients.

Eligibility
- Intend to pursue an MLS or another advanced degree and plan to work in library services for children (up to and including age 14) in any library setting.

Required application materials
All items below are required for a complete application. Note that some individual scholarships may request additional documentation; check the specific scholarship details before submitting.

1) Completed online application
- Includes your personal statement (see item 4).

2) References
- Three professional references are required. Only references submitted via the official online reference form will be accepted (references sent by other means will not be used).
- When you start the application you will provide the names and email addresses of three professional referees (no family members). These should be people who can speak to your academic background, intellectual ability, professional experience, and character.
- Each referee will receive an email with instructions for completing the online reference form.
- All three reference forms must be submitted by March 1 for the application to be considered.

3) Official academic transcripts
- Official transcripts are required from the institution that awarded your bachelor’s degree and from any master’s-level work completed toward an ALA-accredited or NCATE-approved master’s in library science.
- Transcripts from other master’s-level study are optional but may be submitted.
- Submit your college transcript only once even if applying for multiple scholarships.
- Electronic transcripts will not be accepted. All paper transcripts must arrive in a sealed envelope.
- Transcripts must be received by March 1 and should be mailed in one packet (along with any other materials required by specific scholarships) to:
ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse
225 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60601

4) Personal statement
- Include a personal statement as part of the online application (maximum 300 words).
- Address your interest in the field and any relevant experience (non-course educational activities, volunteer work, teaching, employment, publications).
- Explain the skills or qualities you would bring to librarianship, evidence of leadership potential, your career goals, and your commitment to library and information service.

Deadline
- The completed online application, the personal statement, and all three required references must be received in the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse by March 1 to be eligible for consideration.