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Even in today’s digital world filled with e-readers and online publications, it’s still not easy to locate scholarships for library science majors to finance your graduate education. However, thanks to the advent of the Internet, library science has expanded to include the management and organization of information resources across various mediums.
Most aspiring librarians choose to earn a Master of Library Science (MLS) or Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from schools accredited by the ALA. Although jobs may be limited, employment of librarians is still expected grow by 7 percent before 2022 to create about 11,000 new positions in public, private, academic, and research libraries.
If you’re aiming for a career cataloging texts, conducting research, and instilling a love of reading in others, below are 25 of the best scholarships available in library science.
1. APALA Scholarship Program
Deadline: April 25th
Each year, the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) hosts a scholarship program to provide $1,000 in financial assistance to a student of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage who has been admitted into an ALA-accredited master’s or doctoral program in library and information science. Qualified candidates must be U.S. or Canadian citizens, have APALA membership with good standing, be enrolling in library school full or part-time by this fall, and write a one-page essay describing the librarian’s role in the 21st century.
Contact
APALA Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 677593
Orlando, FL 32867
buenaventura.basco@ucf.edu
Scholarship Link
2. Bernard Vavrek Scholarship Award
Deadline: August 1st
In the amount of $1,000, the Bernard Vavrek Scholarship Award is granted by the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS) annually to graduate students who are presently enrolled in a master’s degree program for library and/or information science. Eligible applicants must attend an ALA-accredited library school in the United States, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, submit two letters of reference, and demonstrate a clear interest in outreach or bookmobile librarianship.
Contact
Bernard Vavrek Scholarship Award
1100 Church Road
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 723-2725
abosboard2@gmail.com
3. Brooks McNamara Librarian Scholarship
Deadline: May 30thla
In honor of the beloved theatre historian, scholar, and educator who founded the Shubert Archive, the Brooks McNamara Librarian Scholarship is presented each year for $500 by the Theatre Library Association (TLA) for promising individuals interested in performing arts librarianship. Eligible recipients must show outstanding accomplishments in performing arts libraries while enrolled in a Master of Library and Information Science (MLS) degree or archival training program in the United States.
Contact
Brooks McNamara Librarian Scholarship
40 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York, NY 10023
(917) 275-6975
TheatreLibraryAssociation@gmail.com
4. Caroline M. Hewins Scholarship
Deadline: May 1st
Created in 1926 as a remembrance for one of the greatest pioneers in American librarianship, the Caroline M. Hewins Scholarship is offered for $4,000 annually by Hartford Public Library to graduate library science majors who plan to specialize their library career working with children. Qualified applicants must be admitted to a library school accredited by the ALA, be pursuing a career in public library service, already possess a four-year undergraduate degree, and have previous work experience in libraries.
Contact
Caroline M. Hewins Scholarship
500 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 695-6300
reference@hplct.org
5. Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
Within the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) of the ALA, the Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship is granted each year for $3,000 to students enrolled in an ALA-accredited Master of Library Science (MLS) program in America who plan to follow a career in the library technology field. Eligible students must demonstrate potential for leadership, have not earned more than 12 graduate credits, exhibit unmet economic need, possess library work experience, and maintain academic excellence.
Contact
Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 545-2433
ala@ala.org
Scholarship Link
6. Cicely Phippen Marks Scholarship
Deadline: April 29th
Funded by the Federal & Armed Forces Libraries Round Table (FAFLRT) since 2007, the Cicely Phippen Marks Scholarship is administered by the American Library Association to award $1,500 to deserving college students pursuing a Master of Library Science (MLS) degree. To qualify, candidates must be currently enrolled in any ALA-accredited library school, maintain at least part-time enrollment status, submit a letter of reference from a Federal librarian, and show a strong commitment to working in a Federal library upon graduation.
Contact
Cicely Phippen Marks Scholarship
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 545-2433
ala@ala.org
7. E.J. Josey Scholarship Award
Deadline: December 15th
Through the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), the E.J. Josey Scholarship Award is distributed for $2,000 annually for African American students who are currently enrolled in or accepted by ALA-accredited graduate programs in library science. For consideration, eligible candidates must submit an original essay with at least six bibliographical references to address how librarians can maintain traditional resources in today’s virtual world and serve an increasingly diverse community of library users.
Contact
E.J. Josey Scholarship Award
6985 Snow Way Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63130
ejjoseyscholarship@gmail.com
8. Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
Sponsored by the ALA’s Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), the Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship is presented annually for $6,000 to two outstanding men and women who intend to earn a Master of Library Science (MLS) degree to work in children’s librarianship to serve youth up to age 14. Recipients will be chosen based on their academic achievement, leadership qualities, previous library work experience, personal qualifications, citizenship, and commitment to working with children in any kind of library.
Contact
Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 545-2433
ala@ala.org
9. Friends of the Library of Hawaii Scholarships
Deadline: May 29th
Annually, Friends of the Library of Hawaii (FLH) gives up to $25,000 in scholarships to provide financial support to graduate students who are currently enrolling full-time at any University of Hawaii campus to receive their master’s degree in library science. Qualified students must reside in Hawaii, be accepted for enrollment, submit official undergraduate transcripts, attach two letters of recommendation, and write a personal letter describing their goals in librarianship.
Contact
Friends of the Library of Hawaii Scholarships
1041 Koko Head Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 536-4174
lisinfo@hawaii.edu
10. George A. Strait Minority Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
In honor of an outstanding law librarian who served at Harvard Law School Library for 20 years, the George A. Strait Minority Scholarship is designed to provide two to four awards of $3,500 apiece annually by the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). Qualified candidates must be college graduates, have law library experience, be members of an ethnic minority group, be pursuing a graduate degree at an accredited library or law school, and intend to build a career in law librarianship.
See also: 25 Great Scholarships for Law Students
Contact
George A. Strait Minority Scholarship
105 West Adams Street Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 939-4764
scholarships@aall.org
11. Ginny Frankenthaler Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: June 1st
Sponsored by the Southeastern Library Association (SELA), the Ginny Frankenthaler Memorial Scholarship is granted every two years for $1,000 to a beginning professional librarian who is pursuing an ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and/or information science in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia. Applicants must demonstrate potential leadership, carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and agree to work for one year in a library in the Southeast.
Contact
Ginny Frankenthaler Memorial Scholarship
P.O. Box 950
Rex, GA 30273
(678) 466-4334
bjames@greenvillelibrary.org
Scholarship Link
12. Gloria Hoegh Rural Librarians Scholarship
Deadline: June 15th
In the amount of $1,150, the Gloria Hoegh Rural Librarians Scholarship is offered by the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) annually to give financial assistance for continuing education or workshops in library science to librarians currently employed in a Wisconsin library serving a community with under 5,000 residents. Applicants must complete an online application with a resume or CV, letter of support, and 500-word personal essay describing their dedication to rural librarianship.
Contact
Gloria Hoegh Rural Librarians Scholarship
4610 South Biltmore Lane
Madison, WI 53718
(608) 245-3640
wla@wisconsinlibraries.org
13. Gumdrop Books Librarian Scholarship
Deadline: May 31st
Administered by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, the Gumdrop Books Librarian Scholarship is granted for $5,000 annually to individuals in the Kansas City area who have be accepted into an ALA-accredited graduate school to receive a master’s degree in library science. Qualified applicants must have U.S. citizenship, maintain a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5, have unmet financial need, be actively involved in extra-curricular or community activities, and be supported by three professional references.
Contact
Gumdrop Books Librarian Scholarship
1055 Broadway Blvd. Suite 130
Kansas City, MO 64105
(816) 842-0944
scholarships@growyourgiving.org
14. Hubbard Scholarship Fund
Deadline: May 23rd
In honor of Mr. C.S. Hubbard, one of the earliest supporters of the state’s libraries, the Hubbard Scholarship Fund was established by the Georgia Library Association (GLA) to award $3,000 annually to a deserving graduate student who is presently accepted in a master’s degree program for library science. Candidates must be completing their senior year at an accredited Georgia institution, be beginning graduate school this fall, maintain passing grades, and agree to work for one year in a library-related capacity in Georgia following graduation.
Contact
Hubbard Scholarship Fund
701 Rome Street
Carrollton, GA 30117
(770) 836-6711
glascholarships2015@gmail.com
15. James S. McPhee Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: May 1st
Created by the Nevada Library Association (NLA) in remembrance of an advocate for school library programs who spearheaded instruction at UNLV until his passing in 1995, the James S. McPhee Memorial Scholarship is delivered for $5,000 annually. Qualified recipients must be pursuing graduate coursework in an ALA-accredited library science program, wish to become certified as a school librarian, intend to pursue full-time employment in Nevada, and be NLA members in good standing.
Contact
James S. McPhee Memorial Scholarship
7060 West Windmill Lane
Las Vegas, NV 89113
(702) 507-6041
TaylorJI@lvccld.org
Scholarship Link
16. Jewell Gardiner Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: August 1st and November 1st
Each semester, the California School Library Association (CSLA) provides the Jewell Gardiner Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 outstanding graduate students who are currently enrolled in a master’s program for library science that leads to the Teacher Librarian Credential. Eligible applicants must be current members of the CSLA Northern Region, reside within California, attend an ALA-accredited library school, be willing to serve as active volunteers for at least one committee, and possess prior teaching experience.
Contact
Jewell Gardiner Memorial Scholarship
6444 East Spring Street Suite 237
Long Beach, CA 90815
(888) 655-8480
info@csla.net
17. Mary Moore Mitchell Scholarship
Deadline: May 1st
Through the Louisiana Library Association (LLA), the Mary Moore Mitchell Scholarship was funded by Library Interiors Inc. to award $1,000 annually to library science majors who were born in Louisiana or have lived in Louisiana for at least one year. Qualified candidates must be enrolled part-time in the MLS program at Louisiana State University, carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.2, have earned a combined GRE of 1050 or higher, and submit a letter of recommendation from a librarian.
Contact
Mary Moore Mitchell Scholarship
8550 United Plaza Blvd. Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 922-4642
office@llaonline.org
18. Maryan E. Reynolds Graduate Scholarship
Deadline: August 15th
Offering up to $6,000 annually, the Maryan E. Reynolds Graduate Scholarship is granted through the Washington Library Association (WLA) to students who have successfully completed at least one semester in an ALA-accredited program leading to a master’s degree in library and information science. Eligible students must reside in Washington State, have current WLA membership, be actively involved in WLA activities, demonstrate leadership potential, submit three recommendations, and be committed to a library service career.
Contact
Maryan E. Reynolds Graduate Scholarship
23607 Highway 99 Suite 2C
Edmonds, WA 98026
(425) 967-0739
info@wla.org
19. Medical Library Association Scholarship
Deadline: December 1st
On an annual basis, the Medical Library Association (MLA) hosts a scholarship program to deliver $5,000 to a deserving graduate student who is entering a master’s degree program for library and/or information science at an ALA-accredited school in the United States. Applicants must be U.S. or Canadian citizens, have not completed more than half of the degree’s academic requirements, submit two professional letters of reference, maintain academic excellence, and show potential for accomplishment in health sciences librarianship.
Contact
Medical Library Association Scholarship
65 East Wacker Place Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 419-9094
grants@mlahq.org
20. Peter Lyman Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
Sponsored by Sage Publications, the Peter Lyman Memorial Scholarship is presented for $2,500 annually through the American Library Association to graduate students who have applied for admission to a formal master’s degree program in library and information science. Qualified candidates must be accepted at an ALA-accredited school, have U.S. or Canadian citizenship, have not completed more than 12 graduate credits, be pursuing a specialty area in new media, possess leadership qualities, and demonstrate academic excellence.
Contact
Peter Lyman Memorial Scholarship
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 545-2433
ala@ala.org
Scholarship Link
21. Rev. Andrew L. Bouwhuis Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 1st
As part of the Catholic Library Association (CLA), the Reverend Andrew L. Bouwhuis Memorial Scholarship is granted for $1,500 each year to promising young students who are intending to foster their talent in a graduate program in library science to earn an ALA-accredited master’s degree. Selection will be based on candidates’ potential for professional success, collegiate academic record, evidence of financial need, admissions into graduate school, leadership abilities, involvement in library work, and career objectives.
Contact
Rev. Andrew L. Bouwhuis Memorial Scholarship
8550 United Plaza Blvd. Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 408-4417
ckokulus@cathla.org
22. Rosalie Norris Scholarship Fund
Deadline: April 1st and September 1st
As an outright grant funded by the New Hampshire Library Association (NHLA), the Rosalie Norris Scholarship Fund will bestow $1,000 twice each year to outstanding graduate students who are currently enrolled full or part-time in an ALA-accredited school in the United States to earn a master’s or doctoral degree in library science. To qualify, candidates must reside in New Hampshire, be currently employed at one of the state’s public libraries, have NHLA membership, supply three references, and have professional goals in librarianship.
Contact
Rosalie Norris Scholarship Fund
14 Main Street
Amherst, NH 03031
(603) 673-2288
sleonardi@amherstlibrary.org
23. Sue Marsh Weller Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: June 30th
Sponsored by the Indiana Library Federation (ILF), the Sue Marsh Weller Memorial Scholarship is awarded for $1,000 to at least one graduate student annually who is entering or currently enrolled in an ALA-accredited program in library science with a specialization in children’s librarianship. Eligible recipients must be legal Indiana residents, maintain good academic standing, demonstrate a potential for delivering library services to youth, and agree to work in an Indiana library for at least one year after graduation.
Contact
Sue Marsh Weller Memorial Scholarship
941 East 86th Street Suite 260
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 257-2040
sakers@ilfonline.org
24. Tom and Roberta Drewes Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
For $3,000, the Tom and Roberta Drewes Scholarship is presented once each year by the American Library Association (ALA) to a library support staff member who is returning to graduate school to receive a Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited school. Eligible individuals must be currently working in a library, have U.S. or Canadian citizenship, have earned no more than 12 graduate credits, submit three references, attach undergraduate transcripts, and write a personal goals statement.
Contact
Tom and Roberta Drewes Scholarship
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 545-2433
ala@ala.org
25. Virginia Mathews Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: May 1st
Within the American Indian Library Association (AILA), the Virginia Mathews Memorial Scholarship is granted for $2,000 annually to one worthy graduate student who has been accepted and will enroll in a master’s degree program for library and/or information science. Qualified applicants must have American Indian heritage, work in a tribal library, attend an ALA-accredited school in the United States, take at least six credits per term, demonstrate potential for being a librarian, and be dedicated to serving American Indian populations.
Contact
Virginia Mathews Memorial Scholarship
3300 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
ailawebsite@gmail.com
Scholarship Link
Everyone knows how pricey earning a graduate degree can be, so it’s important that you locate several sources of financial aid to help you reduce the financial burden of reaching your library science goals. Luckily, these are just 25 of the scholarships for library science majors offered across the United States to help avid readers and researchers like you find career success!
