Maureen Woods Education Bursary
Eligibility
Candidates must be accepted or enrolled at the time of the award application in an ALA accredited graduate degree program in a Master of Library and Information Science or equivalent. Preference will be given to those candidates who are residents of Saskatchewan. Candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Candidates must not have received the bursary previously.
Applicants must not have received this award in the past. Candidates will not receive the Indigenous Student MLIS Education Bursary and this award in the same year. Preference will be given to Saskatchewan residents or persons with strong Saskatchewan connections.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be considered on the basis of demonstrated ability to fulfill program requirements (indicated by academic achievement and/or references), leadership potential, interest in the profession, demonstration of competencies required of professional librarians of today, and connection to and interest in Saskatchewan.
Applications for the bursary must include:
- A completed Maureen Woods Education Bursary application form (which can be filled out online or on paper)
- Two letters of reference, one academic and one employment, who can testify to the candidate’s academic achievement and professional ability, to be sent directly to the SLA office
- An up-to-date resume
- A cover letter
- A personal statement of no more than 500 words outlining the applicant’s interest in librarianship which may include examples, interest/commitment to Saskatchewan, career goals and objectives, and community involvement. (Note: this information may form part of the cover letter).
- Applicants may choose to send post-secondary academic transcripts, but they must be sent directly to the SLA office. Transcripts are not required; however, applicants may submit them as an indication of their ability to complete the program.
A short interview may be required for finalists.
How to Apply
Please fill out the online application form. If you have any questions about your application, please email the SLA office at info@saskla.ca.
The SLA Board issues a call for applications and establishes submission deadlines. Grant applications are reviewed by a Bursary Subcommittee under the SLA Continuing Education Committee. For more information about the bursary, please contact the SLA office by calling 306-780-3633 or by emailing info@saskla.ca.
Value of Award
$5,000
Bursary funds shall be awarded to successful recipients in a single annual disbursement.
Application Deadline
October 31, 2023
Congratulations to our 2023 Recipient!
Ruby Lindsay was the 2023 recipient of the Maureen Woods Education Bursary.
Ruby is currently working on her MLIS at the University of British Columbia. Her rich variety of education and work experience with a focus on experiential and hands-on learning have fostered a constant curiosity within her that is craves new learning experiences. Through the avenues of scholarly communication, institutional repositories, open access, and research data management, Ruby loves working toward and learning about how the organization and accessibility of information has the capacity to bring communities together. These areas excite her because the evolution and growing importance of accessible research fits well with her adaptable skill set and passion for lifelong learning. She is inspired and excited to apply the knowledge and skills she has acquired in these areas to a career in academic librarianship in her home province of Saskatchewan.
History of the Maureen Woods Education Bursary
This bursary (originally called the Saskatchewan Libraries Education Bursary) was initiated by the Multitype Library Board in 1999 in response to a concern about recruitment, which was becoming an increasing cross-sectoral library issue. There was an urgent need for recruitment, particularly in the rural and academic library settings. After forming a Public Relations Committee, led by Audrey Mark, the Multitype Library Board heard that recruitment and retention was an important issue in all library sectors.
Immediate action was needed, and work on the Saskatchewan Libraries Education Bursary began. The Multitype Library Board asked SLA to partner with them, and SLA agreed to administer the bursary. The Provincial Library and Literacy Office (a branch of the Ministry of Education) contributed funding to establish the bursary, and it became a reality in 2002.
The bursary is now supported through donations from SLA members and other supporters, as well as through revenues from SLA’s annual Saskatchewan Libraries Conference.
Past Recipients
2002 Christina Petrisor
2003 Lorraine Salt
2004 David Bindle
2005 Kelly McIvor
2006 Christine Varnam
2007 Kendra Bender
2008 Shauna May
2009 Shannon Lucky
2010 Zhizhong (Jack) Chang
2012 Justina Datta
2013 Michael Putnam
2014 Lisa Worobec
2015 Carrie Prefontaine
2016 Catherine Hana
2017 Chasity Berast
2018 Elise Lehmann
2019 Amanda LePage
2020 Erin Placatka
2021 Oksana Moshynska
2022 Nicolle DeGagne
2023 Ruby Lindsay