Annual Conference Stipends

Black Caucus Round Table Conference Stipend

The Black Caucus Round Table (BCRT) is excited to invite Black professionals, paraprofessionals, and students to apply for a stipend of up to $500 to offset the costs of conference registration and BCRT Author & Award Session tickets for attending the Texas Library Association Annual Conference. The purpose of these stipends is to further the professional growth of Black library workers and students in the state of Texas by granting funding for registration fees and conference expenses.

Apply for the BCRT Annual Conference Stipend 

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, you must be:

• A Black professional, paraprofessional, or student in the library science field
• Currently or formerly employed in a Texas library, or currently enrolled in a Texas library science program
• A registered member of the Texas Library Association for 2026-2027
• A current member of the Black Caucus Round Table (BCRT)

You are not eligible if you:

• Are a current BCRT officer
• Received BCRT funds between January 2026 and April 2027

If selected, you agree to:

• Volunteer at the BCRT Exhibit Hall booth during the conference
• Attend the BCRT Author Brunch (ticketed) and the BCRT Reception
• Work with other stipend recipients to give a brief presentation at a BCRT general meeting (held online), sharing takeaways from the 2027 TLA Conference

 

Timeline

• September – Application form available
• December 15, 11:59 PM – Application deadline
• January 12 – Notifications will be sent to all applicants and the TLA office

Deadline

Please use this planning sheet and evaluation to organize your application.

For more information, please contact BCRT.

Children’s Round Table Conference Stipend

The Children’s Round Table (CRT) is excited to offer stipends to cover conference registration for the TLA Annual Conference.

To qualify for one of CRT’s Conference Registration Stipends, you must:

Be currently employed as a school librarian or as a public librarian with a focus on youth services,

Live more than 300 miles away from San Antonio, Texas (the location of TLA Annual Conference 2027)

Be a member of TLA and the Children’s Round Table.

Melody Kelly Stipend – TLA Annual Conference

The Melody Kelly stipend will be awarded to one division member in a support staff position, which will allow the recipient to register for the TLA Annual Conference at no cost, not including any additional ticketed event fees. The purpose of the stipend is to encourage support staff membership in TLA and College & University Libraries Division (CULD).

Applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be employed in a support staff position at an academic library in Texas.
• Be a current TLA and CULD member.
• Attend and be recognized at the Spring CULD Membership/Business Meeting (virtual).
• Agree to serve on the following year’s selection committee for the stipend award.

District 2 Annual Conference Stipend

Need help with the costs of attending the TLA Annual Conference?

District 2 offered stipends to cover early-bird registration for up to 3 members.

Applications submitted with incomplete or inaccurate information will be eliminated from the review process by the District 2 Stipend Committee.

To qualify for the stipend of $399, you must be:

• Currently employed in a library that is located within the geographical boundaries of TLA District 2
• A District 2 member in good standing prior to the submission deadline. Although there are no educational prerequisites or restrictions, you must be committed to future participation in TLA & District 2.

Applications from those who have previously attended a Conference will be accepted, but first-time applicants will be given higher priority. The stipend reflects the cost of early-bird registration.

District 8 Annual Conference Stipend

District 8 makes funding available to District members for participation in activities including the TLA Annual Conference. The purpose of funding is to encourage participation in TLA, the TLA Annual Conference.

Requirements

Applicants must be TLA and District 8 members. Applicants will be expected to complete the provided application and meet the expectations of the stipend award.

Evaluation Criteria

Specific evaluation criteria may vary by award. However, stipend applications will be generally evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Applicant demonstrates interest in professional development.
• Applicant shows a commitment to libraries and their missions.
• Applicant has good written communication skills and expresses herself/himself well.
• Applicant will continue with TLA involvement following TLA Annual Conference by volunteering at the District 8 fall conference or volunteering as an officer in the following nomination cycle.

Timeline

The timeline is subject to change based on the needs of the District and the timing of the specific event each year. For specific deadlines, please refer to TLA Engage or contact the Chair for more information.

• TLA Annual Conference Stipend: Applications for TLA Annual Conference open in January and are due by the end of February. Awardee(s) will be notified by mid- to late-March

Funds

While every effort will be made to provide recipients with the highest award amount possible, the District reserves the right to provide partial funding based on the number of applicants for a particular program and/or on budgetary limitations. Prior service to the District may entitle an applicant to a higher award amount.

Upon notification of award, the District chair will contact TLA to arrange for a stipend to cover professional development registration fees or travel costs.

If you have any questions about the stipends or application process, please contact District 8 chair.

Devin Zimmerman Library Instruction Annual Conference Stipend

The purpose of this stipend is to encourage membership and participation in TLA and Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT).

Applicant Requirements

• Must be employed as a professional librarian in a Texas Library.
• Must be involved in library instruction activities.
• Must have no more than two years experience in library instruction.
• Must agree to apply part of the stipend to membership in TLA, if not already a member.
• Must agree to become a member of the Library Instruction Round Table, if not already a member.
• Must agree to attend and be recognized at LIRT’s annual business meeting at the TLA conference. Participation in Bites with LIRT is strongly encouraged.
• Must agree to submit a report and evaluation on the TLA Conference telling whether it fulfilled your expectations and what, if anything, you learned that you will be able to put to use in your library. This report must be written and submitted to the LIRT Chair within 30 days of the conference.
• Demonstrate an ongoing interest in and involvement with LIRT activities.
• Must agree to serve on the following year’s selection committee for the stipend award.

Application is currently closed.

Timeline

• January – Application form will be made available electronically.
• February 16 – Application deadline. Letters of recommendation from immediate supervisors must be sent via email.
• Mid to Late March – Notification will be sent to the recipient and all other applicants. Notification will also be sent to the TLA office.
• April – Introduce stipend winners at LIRT Business Meeting in March or early April prior to the TLA Conference.
• May – Stipend winners shall send their Conference Report to the LIRT Chair within 30 days of the TLA Conference.

Application Evaluation Guidelines

• The applicant demonstrates interest in professional development.
• The applicant shows commitment to libraries and their missions.
• The applicant shows commitment to library instruction.
• The applicant has good written communication skills and expresses her/himself well
• An attempt will be made over the years to award stipends to applicants from all parts of the state and from all types of libraries.

Funds

• One professional development stipend will be awarded to a LIRT member to allow them to register for the TLA Annual Conference at no cost, not including any additional ticketed event fees.

PLD Annual Conference Stipend

The Public Libraries Division (PLD) of the Texas Library Association will award four $800 travel stipends to be paid after conference attendance, to qualified applicants who are librarians and other library professionals currently or formerly employed by a Texas library. The stipend is available to public library employees who have not attended a TLA Conference before.

The purpose of the PLD stipends is to encourage TLA and PLD membership, to advance the goals and objectives of the Association, and to provide the means for supporting participation in TLA.

Please Apply Here*

*In addition to the application, each applicant must submit a letter of reference. Applications and letter of recommendation must be submitted by February 2nd, 2026. Letters can be emailed to the PLD Scholarship Committee Chair.

Daniel Berra

PLD Scholarship Committee Chair

Pflugerville Public Library

2026 LiFTA ANNUAL CONFERENCE STIPEND – LAYPERSON

The Library Friends, Trustees, and Advocates Round Table (LiFTA) is pleased to offer a stipend of $600 to attend the 2026 Annual Conference of the Texas Library Association on March 29-31, 2026 in Houston.  Please consider the following information and submit your application! Deadline is Friday, February 20, 2026.

Stipend Requirements

• For Trustees, Friends, Lay Advocates, Volunteers (Paid library staff and undergraduate/graduate library students are not eligible.)
• Texas resident and TLA member
• First time attendees given priority
• Must register for and attend the LiFTA Opening Author Luncheon at Annual Conference
• Join the LiFTA Round Table unit with your TLA membership

Money can be applied toward

• TLA membership Texas Library Association Membership
• Conference registration Texas Library Association Conference
• Transportation
• Hotel
• Meals
• Any other costs associated with attending the TLA Conference

Timeline

• Now through February 20, 2026: Stipend publicized and application open
• February 20, 2026: Applications due by midnight CT
• February 23, 2026: Stipend recipient announced
• February 24, 2026: All other applicants notified
• March 29 – 31, 2026: TLA Annual Conference in Houston
• TBD – Attend the follow-up LiFTA Business Meeting (usually scheduled 30-60 days after the Annual Conference)

Funds

• Recipient will receive the travel stipend after conference attendance. Please keep all receipts for reimbursement.

Texas Association of School Librarians Annual Conference Stipend

Texas Association of School Librarians travel stipends and first-time attendee stipends are presented in an effort to increase our outreach to TASL members from parts of the state from which travel to annual conference may be cost-prohibitive and to encourage long-term or new members to join us for their first annual conference experience.

Travel Stipend

TASL will offer three $300 travel stipends to TASL members who live more than 250 miles from the current upcoming conference site. Eligibility is open to current TASL members who are working in a school library and those who have not previously been awarded a TASL stipend. Those selected for the stipend will agree to serve on a TASL committee in the upcoming year and submit a short reflection piece of the conference experience to be included in a TxASL Talks blog post. Deadline to apply is January 31.

Travel stipends will be paid to recipients after TLA Annual conference attendance.

APPLY HERE

First-Time Attendee Stipend

TASL will offer three $300 travel stipends to TASL members who will be attending their first TLA conference. Eligibility is open to current TASL members who are working in a school library and who have not previously been awarded a TASL stipend. Those selected for the stipend will agree to serve on a TASL committee in the upcoming year and submit a short reflection piece of the conference experience to be included in TxASL Talks blog post.

Deadline to apply is January 31.

Travel stipends will be paid to recipients after TLA Annual conference attendance.

Apply here

New Member Round Table Annual Conference Stipend

The New Member Round Table (NMRT) is happy to offer annual stipends to offset the cost of members’ professional development. These stipends hope to encourage participation in NMRT, and various professional development and leadership opportunities offered by TLA.

Annual Conference Stipend | January 31st, 11:59 PM Central (2 available per year)

To qualify for this stipend, you must:

• Be a member of TLA and NMRT
• Not have previously been awarded NMRT funds during the current association year (i.e. between the conclusion of the previous TLA Annual Conference and the conclusion of the upcoming one)
• Be willing to volunteer with NMRT during the next association year
• Attend NMRT TLA conference events

NMRT also offers two stipends for members to attend the LAUNCH leadership program for those with less than 5 years of experience.

The Young Adult Round Table (YART) is excited to offer annual stipends to offset the cost of members’ professional development. The purpose of these stipends is to encourage participation in YART and the professional development opportunities offered by TLA.

DESCRIPTION

To offset the expense of attending the Annual Conference, YART offers:

• Ten (10) professional development stipends (5 for YART officers and 5 for YART members), which allow the recipients to register for the TLA Annual Conference at no cost, not including any additional ticketed event fees, and
• Five (5) Travel Stipends of up to $300 each, to be paid after conference attendance.

ELIGIBILITY

To qualify, you must:

• Be currently employed as a library worker focusing on teen and young adult services in Texas – Grades 6-12.
• Be a member of TLA and YART.
• Not previously awarded YART funds during the current association year (i.e., between the conclusion of the previous TLA Annual Conference and the conclusion of the upcoming one).
• Work more than 120 miles away from the location of the coming Annual Conference.

DEADLINE: January 1 at 11:59 PM

TIMELINE

• December 1 – Application form available
• January 1, 11:59 PM – Application deadline
• January 15 – Notifications will be sent to the recipients and the TLA office.
• January 22 – All other applicants notified.
• May 31 – Travel reimbursement awardees shall submit their documentation to the YART Chair within 30 days of the TLA Annual Conference.

PREPARATION

Please use the following planning sheet and evaluation rubric to organize your application.

• Planning Sheet
• Rubric

EVALUATION

YART is committed to intentionally choosing a group of recipients to enhance the diversity of participants in professional development. Recognizing that diversity in attendees helps ensure that YART’s professional and career development foundation supports the needs of all young adults in Texas, the goal is to bring in as many historically underrepresented perspectives as feasible. Thus, we’ll consider how each suite of awardees reflects the following:

• Variety of TLA districts: YART currently prioritizes members of Districts 1, 2, 6, and 8.
• Contribution from historically underrepresented perspectives such as low socioeconomic status, gender diversity in the library ecosystem (i.e., male, nonbinary, or transgender applicants), BIPOC, diversity of sexuality, religious minority, and disability status
• Balance of school and other library environments
• Balance of library service area sizes (i.e., small vs. large)

Stipends shall be issued directly to TLA, whereas travel reimbursement awards shall be made available to the recipient upon the submission of receipts.

Travel reimbursement awards may provide one-time funding to offset expenses for travel within Texas, incidentals (transportation, shuttle, tolls, parking fees, etc.), and meals to facilitate attendance. Please note the following regarding the travel reimbursement award:

• Rates for meals and incidentals will be compensated at the per diem rate the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) sets.
• All mileage must be verified by Google Maps, showing any needed car travel, and will be compensated at the rate set by GSA.
• Applicants working within 120 miles of the conference location are not eligible.

Please use the YART Travel Documentation Tracker to submit your expenses by May 31. Furthermore, you may want to use an app such as Adobe Scan to conveniently capture your receipts during the conference.

YART will make every effort to provide recipients with the requested amounts and reserves the right to provide partial funding based on the number of applicants and budgetary limitations.

Application

For more information, please contact YART.

The Tocker Foundation is pleased to provide travel stipends for staff at rural libraries to attend the TLA’s annual conference.

Attendees will enjoy opportunities to learn from experts in the field, find new vendors in the exhibit hall, network with their peers, hear from authors as well gain valuable CEU’s at designated sessions.

Library staff in towns of 12,000 or less qualify to apply for this grant. First-time attendees are given priority in this grant selection. Apply early to plan for a full experience at the conference.

Apply here

H-E-B Local One Day Conference Stipend

Thanks to the generous support of H-E-B, the Texas Library Association is offering 12 local library workers the opportunity to attend one day of the TLA 2027 Annual Conference in San Antonio at no cost.

The stipend covers the cost of a one-day conference registration, giving recipients the opportunity to learn, connect, and experience the TLA Annual Conference close to home.

More information here!