Make A Difference Program - Library Challenge 2007
Is your library making a difference in the lives of the people that you are dedicated to serving? If you are, then someone in your organization could win a full graduate scholarship to the University of Missouri-Columbia.
The Make A Difference - Library Challenge is sponsored by the MU Graduate School and the MU School of Information Science & Learning Technologies. We challenge your library to make a difference in the quality of your constituents' lives through innovative programs that employ technology-intensive and information-rich strategies to meet real needs.
By documenting your successes, your organization might be selected as the winner of a complete graduate scholarship to our ALA-accredited graduate program - a scholarship anyone in your organization can use to advance their professional and academic development.
In order to participate, your library must:
- Be a library in Missouri;
- Engage in technology-intensive and/or information rich efforts that make a difference;
- Document 1) what your library is doing; 2) why it is doing it; 3) how it is doing it and; 4) what difference it is making.
The selection criteria will be based on the following:
- Program appropriateness: the match between the library and the needs of the community being served;
- Program mechanics: efficiency, scalability and transportability of the program;
- Rationale: justification for the program, theory-based intervention with adjustments derived from data
- Evaluation: appropriateness of the evaluation process and data
How do libraries make a difference? Well...:
- By implementing programs to attract and enable young readers to the explore and use library resources
- By building sustainable partnerships with community groups to improve neighborhood living conditions
- By creating an innovative community information program
The possibilities are endless; just do something that truly makes a difference and document your success.
Sincerely,
John Wedman, Director and Professor
School of Information Science & Learning Technologies
Challenge Details |
Applications for the Make A Difference Program - Library Challenge 2007 are due June 1, 2007. Finalists will be notified by the middle of June, 2007 and winners will be announced no later than August 1, 2007. In addition to the graduate scholarship, awardees will receive a Make A Difference Program plaque and will be named in a press release distributed nationally. The winner can enroll in the Fall 07, Spring 08, or Summer 08. |
Application Process
1. Complete the application form. The application form asks four simple questions:
- What did your library do to make a difference?
- How did your library do it?
- Why did your library do it that way?
- What evidence do you have that your library made a difference?
2. Secure five letters of support from individuals who can testify to the fact that you made a difference.
3. Mail the completed application form and five support letters to:
Toni Milstead
Make A Difference Program - Library Challenge 2007
School of Information Science & Learning Technologies
303 Townsend Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
Notes:
- All application packets must be complete when received. Partial applications will not be processed.
- The support letters must be signed and include the author's contact information.
FAQs
Q. Are non-public libraries eligible for the Make A Difference Program?
A. Yes, any library in Missouri (big or small) is eligible and encouraged to apply.
Q. Can the scholarship be given to anyone in the winning organization?
A. Yes, but the recipient must meet admission requirements.
Q. How soon must the scholarship be used?
A. The winning organization will have until the end of 2007 to identify someone to receive the scholarship. and the scholarship recipient can begin our program Fall 07, Spring 08 or Summer 08.
Q. What does the scholarship cover?
A. The scholarship will cover all educational fees for approved coursework, up to a maximum of 42 credit hours for the Library Science program. The scholarship also includes a $25/credit hour textbook allowance.
Q. I still have questions. Who can I talk to?
A. Contact Toni Milstead
Email - milsteadt@missouri.edu
Phone - 573-882-4546
Toll Free - 877-747-5868 (877-SISLT-MU)