The Junior Library Guild partners with the TLA Diversity and Inclusion Committee  to offer two conference stipends of $750 to defray the cost of attending the TLA Annual Conference. Both librarians and paraprofessionals are encouraged to apply.

Congratulations to Alice Garza, Round Rock ISD, and Elizabeth Tanguma, McAllen Public Library, who received this award in 2020. 

The eligible applicants include, “a member of a racial/ethnic minority group, lesbian/gay/bisexual/ transgender, or a person with a disability or who works extensively with members of one of these communities.”

For purposes of considering applicants for this stipend, the definition of “minority” includes persons in the following groups: African Americans, Aleuts, Asian Americans, Eskimos, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islander Americans as defined by U.S. government guidelines.

The stipend’s purpose is to encourage TLA, minority caucus, and D&I membership and participation, and to provide a means for supporting participation in the Annual Conference.

The definition of eligible applicants includes “a member of a racial/ethnic minority group, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender, or a person with a disability or who works extensively with members of one of these communities.”

Applicant Criteria

• Be a member of the Texas Library Association;
• Be employed as a librarian or paraprofessional in a Texas library;
• Submit a completed application form and letter of reference on or before the stated deadline;
• Agree to attend the Diversity & Inclusion Committee meeting and at least one sponsored or co-sponsored preconference, program, and or meeting during the conference; and
• Participate in an interview after conference (either face to face or virtual) to evaluate the conference experience.

Stipend recipients agree to:

• Attend the Diversity & Inclusion Committee meeting and at least one preconference, program, and/or meeting on the topic of equity, diversity, and inclusion during conference; and
• Participate in an interview after the conference (either face-to-face or virtual) to provide feedback on the conference experience.

Deadline: Submit the online application by January 31.

Apply today

Evaluation Critera

The Conference Stipend Committee members will use the following criteria to evaluate the applications:

• Applicant meets eligibility requirements
• Letter of recommendation submitted (10 points)
• Application completed fully and addresses the following:
  • The applicant shows commitment to the profession through involvement in professional organizations, such as TLA. (10 points)
  • The applicant has a plan/goals for conference attendance. (30 points)
  • The applicant has identified Diversity & Inclusion session/events to attend and articulates how these will help them accomplish their goals. (30 points)
  • The applicant can state how the stipend will help them become involved and participate in TLA (20 points)

An attempt will be made over the years to award stipends to applicants from all parts of the state and from all types and sizes of libraries.

Thank you to our sponsor.