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Awards & Scholarships

SCELC invests in the success of its member community through scholarships and other community award funding.

Library Science Student Scholarships

Every year, SCELC offers scholarships to library science students on the staff of SCELC Member libraries. The SCELC Program/Professional Development Committee reviews and evaluates all applications. Strong applicants will also be awarded additional scholarship funding in the form of either the:

  • Locke Morrisey Scholarship, named in January 2011 in memory and honor of SCELC's colleague from the University of San Francisco
  • Rick Burke Scholarship, named in honor of SCELC's founding Executive Director who retired July 2021

Recent recipients

2025 Rick Burke Scholarship

Melanie McCluskey, California Baptist University

  • $3,500 towards an MLIS from San Jose State University
2025 Locke Morrisey Scholarship

Emily Taina, Santa Clara University

  • $3,000 towards an MLIS from San Jose State University
2025 Scholarship Recipients

Mario Cano, Western University of Health Sciences

  • $1,500 towards an MLIS from San Jose State University

Sara Flournoy, Chapman University

  • $2,000 towards an MLIS from San Jose State University

Joy Metcalfe, Point Loma Nazarene University

  • $2,000 towards and MLIS from San Jose State University

See all past recipients.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an award, applicants must:

  • be currently employed as professional or support staff at a SCELC member library
  • be currently enrolled in an ALA-accredited graduate library science program and have not yet applied to graduate
  • have completed at least six credit hours or units at the time of application
  • have a least one semester remaining prior to graduation (must still be enrolled at time of award)

Submission Requirements

You will need to submit:

  1. The completed application form via the link below
  2. A personal statement, no longer than one typed page, explaining your purpose for pursuing an MLIS and your future professional aspirations. Your statement will be evaluated based on the LSSS Rubric (see below).
  3. One letter of recommendation. Please have them address the criteria in the full rubric linked above.
  4. Your program transcripts (official copy preferred, but unofficial accepted). (NOTE: If you are awarded a scholarship, we will need a copy of your official transcripts.)
  5. Contact information for the financial aid office of your graduate program (name of the program, office address, postal address, phone number, email contact)

Application Timeline

  • Applications are accepted annually, opening in the third Monday of January until the last Friday of the following March
  • Applicants will be notified of award decisions within four weeks after application deadline, unless otherwise stated by PPDC members or SCELC Staff
  • Award decisions are at the discretion of SCELC's available budget

If you have any questions about the application process or your submitted application, please contact PPDC Liaison, Eric Chao.

Disbursement

Scholarships are sent directly to the Financial Aid Office of your program's institution and disbursed by your institution. You must maintain active student status at the time of disbursement. If you have been awarded a scholarship and have questions about the award process, please contact SCELC.