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Category: Scholarships & Awards

February 24, 2025
prisonlibraries
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Nominations now open for the 2025 MLA Awards!

Posted in Library Technicians, Public Libraries, Scholarships & Awards, School Libraries, Special Libraries, and Trustees

The Manitoba Library Association presents awards every two years at the Manitoba Libraries Conference. For more information and links to the nomination form – please visit our Awards page.

We are now accepting award nominations for the following awards.
The deadline for the 2025 awards is April 1, 2025. We’ve extended our deadline to April 8th, 2025!

Human Rights Book Award

This award sponsored by the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers is in support and recognition of the hard work  of Manitoba libraries to uphold library values of intellectual freedom while also reflecting their community’s need for inclusive and diverse library spaces.

This individual or library will have demonstrated strong resolve in upholding human rights, inclusivity and equity in library access for their library or in the library community at a local, regional, provincial or national level. The Award will recognize ongoing work or an outstanding accomplishment at a point in time.

Library Service Award

This award recognizes library workers, supporters or volunteers who have made a significant contribution to the operation and development of libraries and library services in the province of Manitoba.  Examples of potential nominees include:

  • Professional library workers in Manitoba who have shown exemplary service over a long period or who have shown a contribution within a shorter period.
  • Volunteers who have shown a significant contribution to the operation or development of library services in Manitoba, perhaps as a trustee, fund-raiser, or volunteer worker.
  • Individuals in Manitoba who have shown exceptional promise of leadership in the early years of their career through the contributions they have made to their library or to the profession.

Library Technician of the Year Award

This award recognizes a Library Technician in Manitoba who has demonstrated outstanding professional achievement or leadership in their library or in the library community at a local, regional, provincial or national level. A nominee must be a graduate of a recognized Library Technician program.

Library Trustee of Distinction Award

The Trustee of Distinction Award recognizes outstanding participation in the advancement of public library trusteeship in Manitoba. Consideration is given to trustees who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, promotion of public libraries in their community and fostered education and development of Trustees.

Nominate a library worker or library today!

August 28, 2024
commsMLA
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Congratulations to MLA’s 2024 Scholarship Winners!

Posted in Scholarships & Awards

Each year the Manitoba Library Association awards scholarships to Manitoba students enrolled in Library and Information Studies graduate level programs.

The John Edwin Bissett Memorial Scholarship is awarded to to eligible undergraduates of the University of Manitoba who are pursuing a graduate program in library and information science. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba.

Congratulations Sophia Lebar and Sarah Gilleshammer!

The Jean Thorunn Law Scholarship is awarded to eligible applicants who have worked in a Manitoba library and who choose to further their career by pursuing a graduate program in library and information science. Applicants must have been engaged in recent library work in Manitoba for twelve months.

Congratulations Euncho Ko and Karissa Posthumus!

The Marilyn J. Hernandez Scholarship is awarded to eligible applicants who are residents of Manitoba and who are pursuing a master’s or PhD in an accredited library and information program.

Congratulations Euncho Ko!

Watch our website and newsletter for next year’s call for scholarship applications. A list of past years’ scholarship winners can be found here.

July 29, 2024
prisonlibraries
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Human Rights Award presented at South Central Regional Library!

Posted in Advocacy, Intellectual Freedom, and Scholarships & Awards

Manitoba Library Association visited the Winkler branch of the South Central Regional Library last week to present the first ever Human Rights Book Award to Cathy Ching and her team.

The event was captured by local media and you can read more here.

Many thanks to the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers, our partner in the creating this award. And of course, our thanks and congratulations to the SCRL staff for their fantastic dedication and inspiring work in upholding the values of information access for all.

June 27, 2024
prisonlibraries
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Manitoba Library Association awards its first Human Rights Book Award to Cathy Ching and the South Central Regional Library System!

Posted in Intellectual Freedom, Membership, and Scholarships & Awards

Manitoba libraries are upholding the fundamental values of intellectual freedom, inclusion, and diversity despite recent calls for censorship and the harassment of library workers. 

Appreciating this important and yet often unrecognised work, the Manitoba Library Association (MLA) alongside the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers (AMBP) are pleased to announce the inaugural Human Rights Book Award to Cathy Ching and the South Central Regional Library System (SCRL). This award is presented in recognition of their “strong resolve in upholding human rights, inclusivity and equity in library access for their library or in the library community at a local, regional, provincial or national level.”

Ching and her team at SCRL have remained passionately steadfast, and according to their nominator, “remarkably positive throughout their censorship ordeals.” SCRL’s experiences have been shared in the media over the past couple of years and have inspired not only their own community but the entire province with their determination “to uphold the fundamental right to freedom of expression and the unrestricted pursuit of knowledge for all individuals, regardless of background or belief.”

The glowing nomination letter also describes Cathy Ching’s willingness to educate and inspire their library peers through conferences and workshops helping to foster a culture of continuous improvement within our professional community.

MLA is proud to celebrate this deserving recipient: 

“Cathy is an amazing example of the type of people we need in our communities and libraries now more than ever. Her work and perseverance in the face of adversity is not only inspiring, it’s a loud and bold statement that libraries will always be a safe space and will help echo the voices that need to be heard.” 

– KC Bateman, MLA Vice-president

AMBP is awarding Cathy Ching and SCRL, whose service, passion, and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is outstanding among their peers with 15 books from Manitoba publishers.

“The AMBP is proud to support the instatement of the MLA’s Human Rights Book Award. Cathy Ching and the South Central Regional Library System demonstrate an unwavering commitment to keeping our libraries a welcoming, safe space for all.”

– Chelsey Young, AMBP

Both MLA and AMBP send heartfelt congratulations to our very first and very deserving award winner.

May 3, 2024
prisonlibraries
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Accepting Scholarship Applications NOW

Posted in Scholarships & Awards

Are you a Manitoba student enrolled in a Library and Information Studies graduate level program? The Manitoba Library Association is accepting applications for our three scholarships now!

Deadline for scholarship applications is June 1, 2024
Any questions? Send an email to the Scholarships committee at awards@mla.mb.ca 

Read on for more information about our scholarships and apply today!

Jean Thorunn Law Scholarship

Available to eligible applicants who have worked in a Manitoba library and who choose to further their career by pursuing a graduate program in library and information science. Applicants must have been engaged in recent library work in Manitoba for twelve months.

John Edwin Bissett Scholarship

Available to eligible undergraduates of the University of Manitoba who are pursuing a graduate program in library and information science. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba.

Marilyn J. Hernandez Scholarship

Available to eligible applicants who are residents of Manitoba and who are pursuing a master’s or PhD in an accredited library and information program.

Files (pdf):

MLA Scholarship FAQ
MLA Scholarship Form
MLA Scholarship Reference Form
Use the new online application form to apply and upload your documents.
Access the form here: Online Application
More information on our website.
March 27, 2024
prisonlibraries
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New Award announcement! Human Rights Book Award

Posted in Membership, and Scholarships & Awards

MLA and the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers are pleased to announce a new award in support and recognition of Manitoba libraries hard work to uphold library values of intellectual freedom while at the same time reflecting their community’s need for inclusive and diverse library spaces.

This annual award will give 15 books from Manitoba publishers to an individual or library whose service, passion, and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is outstanding among their peers. 

This individual or library will have demonstrated strong resolve in upholding human rights, inclusivity and equity in library access for their library or in the library community at a local, regional, provincial or national level.

The Award will recognize ongoing work or an outstanding accomplishment at a point in time.       

How to Make a Nomination

  • Nominations should be submitted using the MLA Award Nomination Form. 
  • A letter of nomination must accompany the form and should illustrate why the nominee should be considered for the award. 
  • Members can self-nominate. 
  • All submissions need to be received via email to awards@mla.mb.ca 

All nominators should be members of the Manitoba Library Association.

The deadline for the 2024 award is May 1, 2024.

November 24, 2023
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MLA congratulates our scholarship winners!

Posted in Membership, and Scholarships & Awards

The John Edwin Bissett Scholarship is awarded to to eligible undergraduates of the University of Manitoba who are pursuing a graduate program in library and information science. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba.
Congratulations Jenna Coutts!

The Jean Thorunn Law Scholarship is awarded to eligible applicants who have worked in a Manitoba library and who choose to further their career by pursuing a graduate program in library and information science. Applicants must have been engaged in recent library work in Manitoba for twelve months.
Congratulations Euncho Ko and Karissa Posthumus!

New this year! The Marilyn J. Hernandez Scholarship is awarded to eligible applicants who are residents of Manitoba and who are pursuing a master’s or PhD in an accredited library and information program.
Congratulations Shirley Delorme-Russel!

Watch our website and newsletter for next year’s call for applications.

June 27, 2023
prisonlibraries
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Scholarship application deadline extended to July 31st, 2023!

Posted in Scholarships & Awards

Are you currently enrolled in a graduate level program in library and information sciences? Have you heard about the Manitoba Library Association scholarships? Consider applying today!

The Manitoba Library Association administers THREE scholarships on an annual basis:

Jean Thorunn Law Scholarship
Available to eligible applicants who have worked in a Manitoba library and who choose to further their career by pursuing a graduate program in library and information science. Applicants must have been engaged in recent library work in Manitoba for twelve months.

John Edwin Bissett Scholarship
Available to eligible undergraduates of the University of Manitoba who are pursuing a graduate program in library and information science. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba.

*new* Marilyn J. Hernandez Scholarship
Available to eligible applicants who are residents of Manitoba and who are pursuing a master’s or PhD in an accredited library and information program.

Scholarship FAQ and Application documents are available here.
Questions can be directed to the Scholarships committee at awards@mla.mb.ca

July 27, 2021
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Scholarship and Awards Announcements

Posted in Scholarships & Awards

Awards 

Manitoba Library Association Awards were not distributed in 2021.  

Scholarships

Each year the Manitoba Library Association provides scholarships to deserving students.  The Scholarship funds are managed by The Winnipeg Foundation with two Awards being given out to one or more recipients.  This year, the Association had $19,000 available for the John Edwin Bissett Scholarship and $4,000 for the Jean Thorunn Law Scholarship.  In addition, the Association’s Library Technician Division supports the annual Red River College graduation award.  More information on our Scholarships is available on our website. 

The successful applicants for this year are: 

John Edwin Bissett Scholarship: 

  • Hannah Oudenaar
  • Taylor Watkins
  • Amber Lamboo 

 Jean Thorunn Law Scholarship: 

  • Sarah Lee

Red River College Library & Information Technology Student Award:

  • Megan Wehrle

We wish all of these students the best of luck as they continue with their studies this fall!

Thank you to this year’s selection Committee, Kerry Macdonald, Danielle Hubbard, and Ebony Novakowski, for their willingness to serve in this capacity. We appreciate all of your hard work!