Library Science Scholarships

Not every field of study has as many organizations associated with it as library science. Through the American Library Association alone, you’ll find a great deal of library science scholarship opportunities devoted to helping minority librarians, students interested in graduate work in library science, or those looking to work with youth in library settings, among many other fairly specific categories. Library (or information) science is a growing field that is rapidly expanding to include study into technologies that can improve research strategies and the library experience. Some colleges even require sessions with professors in the library sciences as part of their general education curriculums to make their students better researchers and more knowledgeable about the information resources available to them on campus.

If you’re interested in a career in library science, there are a lot of options available to help you fund your college education. If you’re interested in more than library work and have a particular research area in mind, there could also be library scholarships dedicated to those research areas. The more specific your search, the better your chances to win scholarships, as the pool of applicants will be smaller. To view scholarship information for some examples of library science scholarships, click the links below. For a more complete list of scholarship opportunities, either by major or otherwise, conduct a free college scholarship search.

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
Applicants for the Nellie Martin Carman Scholarships must: - Be a graduating senior from a public high school in the county of King, Pierce or Snohomish in the state of Washington in the year of appointment - Be a United States citizen - Plan to attend a college in the state of Washington on a full-time basis Application forms are only available through the high schools in the counties [...] More

The Ann Arbor AWC Scholarship for Women in Computing
Application Deadlines: Varies
Each year the Ann Arbor chapter of the Association for Women in Computing (AWC), awards one or more scholarships through the AWC Scholarship Fund for Women in Computing held at the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF). The scholarship recognizes outstanding women participating in an institution accredited for higher education in the state of Michigan pursuing a career in a computer or [...] More

SCA Conservation Internships/Corps
Application Deadlines: Varies
From the rugged coastline of Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska, to the grassy wetlands of the Florida Everglades and the bustling halls of the U.S. Interior Department, SCA Interns are actively involved in preserving and protecting our most prized public lands and resources. All positions are expense-paid and tuition-free. SCA members receive a weekly living allowance, travel paid to and [...] More

George A. Strait Minority Scholarships
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
George A. Strait Minority Scholarships are awarded annually by the American Association of Law Libraries and an endowment from Thomson West, a provider of e-information and solutions to the U.S. legal market. Applicants must be college graduates with meaningful law library experience who are members of a minority group as defined by current U.S. government guidelines, degree candidates in an [...] More

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Scholarships
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
Hispanic college students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are invited to apply for more than $2 million in scholarships through AHETEMS (Advancing Hispanic Excellence in Technology, Engineering, Math and Science), the educational foundation of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). Students may apply for as many scholarships as they please, [...] More

ALA David H. Clift Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
Named for a former director of the American Library Association, the David H. Clift Scholarship is presented to students with the following requirements: - U.S. or Canadian citizen or permanent resident - Attend ALA-accredited master's program - No more than 12 semester hours towards MLS/MLIS/MIS prior to June 1st of year awarded For more information, please visit our [...] More

ALA Spectrum Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
Spectrum provides a one-time, non-renewable $5,000 scholarship award paid in two installments directly to the recipient. Recipients must begin a program by the fall semester following the award, funds will be forfeited if enrollment is delayed. Recipients must be enrolled at the time of the second installment, or they will forfeit this portion of the award. Recipients are announced at the ALA [...] More

Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines: January 20, Annually
Students are selected to participate in our Smart Start Scholarship Program, providing full tuition (less financial aid) scholarship and four years of paid internships with JPMorgan Chase. Eligibility Requirements: High school seniors graduating in the spring who are New York City residents attending New York City public, private or parochial schools, accepted to one of the participating New [...] More

ALBA George Watt Memorial Essay Contest
Application Deadlines: June 01, Annually
The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) is pleased to announce the continuing annual competition for the George Watt Memorial Essay prizes. Graduate and undergraduate students from the United States and elsewhere are invited to submit an essay or thesis chapter about any aspect of the Spanish Civil War, the global political or cultural struggles against fascism in 1920s and 1930s, or the [...] More

Alice L. Haltom Educational Fund
Application Deadlines: May 01, Annually
The Alice L. Haltom Educational Fund exists for students who are citizens of the U.S., Canada or Mexico and are actively pursuing an education for a career in information and records management. The maximum award for students in an associate degree program is $1,000. The maximum award for a student in a bachelor's or advanced degree program is $2,000. The number of scholarships to be awarded per [...] More

Ciencia Nation Scholarships-College STEM Majors
Application Deadlines: February 15, Annually
The Alliance/Merck Ciencia (Science) Hispanic Scholars Program is a partnership to improve Hispanic student access to higher education and degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Hispanic college students with minimum GPAs of 2.75 from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and Puerto Rico pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field major are invited to [...] More

ALISE Research Grant
Application Deadlines: October 03, Annually
The Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) is now accepting proposals for its Research Grant Program Competition. An award of one or more grants totaling $5,000 may be made to support research broadly related to education for library and information science. The Research Grant Award cannot be used to support a doctoral dissertation. At least one applicant in a group [...] More

Bound to Stay Bound Books Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
The Bound to Stay Bound Books (BTSB) Scholarship provides financial assistance in the form of four $7,000 annual awards for the education of men and women who intend to pursue an MLS or advanced degree and who plan to work in the area of library service to children. This work may be serving children up to and including the age of 14 in any type library. The scholarship is made possible by the [...] More

ALA - ASCLA Century Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
The Century Scholarship will enable ALA to fulfill one of its most important missions: to bring diversity into the library profession so that the library profession reflects the diversity of the communities library professionals serve. The annual $2,500 scholarship will fund services or accommodation for a library school student or students with disabilities admitted to an ALA-accredited [...] More

ALA Christopher J. Hoy/ERT Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
The Christopher J. Hoy/ERT Scholarship was named for a long time ALA staff member, who once directed the ALA Conference Services Office for more than two decades. This scholarship was funded with donations from Christopher J. Hoy and the Exhibits Round Table (ERT) to honor his memory. Requirements: - U.S. or Canadian citizen or permanent resident - Attend ALA-accredited master's program - [...] More

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
Application Deadlines: December 01, Annually
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals is a full-year work-study fellowship program with a strong focus on cultural exchange. CBYX annually provides 75 young Americans with an understanding of everyday life, education, and professional training in Germany. The program begins in July and includes two months of intensive German language training in Germany (no prior [...] More

Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 01, Annually
The Davidson Fellows scholarship program, established in 2001, recognizes exceptional students and supports them in the fulfillment of their potential. Each year, Fellows are awarded scholarships of $50,000, $25,000 or $10,000 and are recognized for their achievements at a special awards reception in Washington, D.C. The application categories are Science, Technology, Mathematics, Literature, [...] More

Roosevelt Archival Internships
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute (FERI) offer Roosevelt Archival Internships to undergraduate- and graduate-level students. Preference may be given to students majoring in history, political science, archival, library, or computer/information science. Research skills, basic computer skills, familiarity with the Internet, and knowledge of [...] More

ALSC Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
The Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship provides financial assistance for the professional education of men and women who intend to pursue an MLS degree and who plan to work in children's librarianship. This work may be serving children up to and including the age of 14 in any type of library. Two $6,000 scholarships are awarded annually. The scholarship is made possible by ALSC through generous [...] More

GLA Hubbard Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines: May 21, Annually
The Georgia Library Association Scholarship is awarded for graduate study in Library Science at an accedited Library School. Work must be complete within three years. Following graduation there is a one year obligation to work in a library related capacity in Georgia for one [...] More

Lillian Grace Mahan Scholarship
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
The Lillian Grace Mahan Scholarship is for students of library science who are attending any accredited school offering courses and programs for the study of library science and whose residences while not attending such school are in Stark County, Ohio. Recipients shall be students who are deserving of scholarships as exhibited by outstanding academic performance and aptitude, are in need of [...] More

ALA LITA/Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
The LITA/Christian (Chris) Larew Memorial Scholarship, begun in 1999, is awarded jointly on an annual basis currently in the amount of $3,000, by the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA), a division of the American Library Association, and Informata.com. The scholarship is designed to encourage the entry of qualified persons into the library and information technology field, who [...] More

ALA - LITA/LSSI Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
The LITA/LSSI Minority Scholarship, established in 1994, is awarded annually by the Library and Information Technology Association, a division of the American Library Association, and Library Systems and Services, Inc., in the amount of $2,500. The scholarship is designed to encourage the entry of qualified persons into the library and automation field who plan to follow a career in that field; [...] More

LITA/OCLC Minority Scholarship in Library and Information Technology
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
The LITA/OCLC Minority Scholarship, established in 1991, is awarded jointly annually by the Online Computer Library Center and the Library and Information Technology Association, a division of the American Library Association, in the amount of $3,000. The scholarship is designed to encourage the entry of qualified persons into the library and automation field who plan to follow a career in that [...] More

ALA Marshall Cavendish Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
The Marshall Cavendish Scholarship was established with donations from the Marshall Cavendish Corporation, Tarrytown, N.Y., publishers of illustrated reference books for libraries. Applicants who have applied for admission to a formal program of library and information studies leading to a master's degree may apply for these scholarships. Applicants must also meet the following requirements: - [...] More

Mary Lily Research Grants
Application Deadlines: January 31, Annually
The Mary Lily Research Grants are for research using the collections held by the Sallie Bingham Center. Grant money may be used for travel to the Duke University's Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, costs of copying pertinent archival resources, and living expenses while pursuing research here. The maximum award per applicant is $1,000. We strongly encourage applicants to [...] More

ALA Mary V. Gaver Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
The Mary V. Gaver was established in honor of a past ALA president and Rutgers University professor who made many contributions in library youth services. Qualified recipients will meet the following criteria: - Must specialize in the field of library youth services - U.S. or Canadian citizen or permanent resident - Attend ALA-accredited master's program - No more than 12 semester hours [...] More

ALA Miriam L. Hornback Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
The Miriam L. Hornback Scholarship was named for a long time ALA staff member (1944-1991) who was secretariat to the ALA Council and Executive Board. To be eligible for this award, applicant must meet the following criteria: - Library support staff currently working in a library - U.S. or Canadian citizen or permanent resident - Attend ALA-accredited master's program - No more than 12 [...] More

Smithsonian Institution Libraries Internships
Application Deadlines: Varies
The Smithsonian Institution Libraries offers internship opportunities to graduate students, library professionals, and undergraduate students interested in exploring a library career in library and information science. Intern assignments may include a project or a structured practical experience. The Libraries selects interns based on its needs and on the specific education, training, skills, and [...] More

ALA Tony B. Leisner Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
The Tony B. Leisner Scholarship was established with a donation from an active ALA member and former member of the ALA Council. To be eligible for this award, applicants must meet the following criteria: - Library support staff currently working in a library - U.S. or Canadian citizen or permanent resident - Attend ALA-accredited master's program - No more than 12 semester hours towards [...] More

CLA Reverend Andrew L. Bouwhuis Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 01, Annually
This Catholic Library Association scholarship is awarded each year for graduate study for applicants funding their efforts to get their master's degree in library science. The CLA hopes to encourage talented young people to enter the profession by offering this scholarship. This is a $1,500 award to be given to the applicant chosen by the Scholarship Committee of the Catholic Library [...] More