The Margery C Ramsay and Barrett Reid scholarships are awarded by the Library Board of Victoria to a Victorian public library staff member to support their leadership development. The scholarships are awarded in alternate years. In 2012, the Margery C Ramsay Scholarship is awarded.
The scholarship is worth $30,000. Applications for the 2012 scholarship are now closed.
Eligibility
To apply, you must be employed in a Victorian public library and have a proven record of motivation and commitment to public library values. You don't need to be employed as a librarian to be eligible.
If you've previously applied and been unsuccessful, you can resubmit your application the following year or reapply with a different proposal. If you've previously received a Ramsay and Reid scholarship, you'll have to wait five years before submitting another application.
Scope
Applicants' projects should provide an opportunity for self-development, and benefit employers and the Victorian public library sector. The scholarship can be used to fund a broad range of activities, including:
- further eduction, such as short courses in librarianship, management or leadership
- attendance at a conference or forum
- a secondment or internship
- visiting or studying library services in Australia or overseas
- investigating issues relevant to the future of the Victorian public library services
- backfilling your position
- publishing a report, or other activities associated with sharing your learning.
Scholarship funds may not be used to buy computer equipment.
Application process
Applications must include:
- a detailed description of the project with supporting rationale and clear objectives
- performance indicators that will evaluate the project's success
- key outcomes and benefits to you, your employer and the Victorian public library industry
- a detailed budget, including other funding contributions
- a commitment from the organisations you want to visit or work with that they can facilitate your project
- a timeframe for your project's completion, beginning no earlier than November of the year you receive the award
- a communications strategy for the scholarship outcomes
- evidence of your ability to implement the project
- a two-page CV
- a written letter of support by the chief executive or library service manager of your council or regional library corporation, stating his or her support for your project and time away from normal duties.
Referees
Along with your application form, you must submit two letters of recommendation from referees. These references will be confidential and must be mailed directly to the scholarship administrator by the referees. The administrator, on behalf of the selection panel, may contact the referees for further information.
Assessment
A panel of Library Board of Victoria and Public Libraries Victoria Network representatives will assess all applications. Applicants might be asked to provide more information in writing. Interviews may be arranged for shortlisted applicants.
The Board reserves the right not to award a scholarship.
Conditions
The scholarship recipient will be required to sign an agreement about their undertaking.
Within six months of completion of the program identified in the scholarship proposal, the scholarship recipient must forward a brief overview report summarising the outcomes and the personal learning experience, as well as an acquittal of funds. This report will be submitted to the Advisory Committee on Public Libraries.
The scholarship recipient will be expected to negotiate with the scholarship administrators a program designed to share their enhanced skills through a process of networking with library industry personnel to maximise the collective benefits of the scholarships.
More information
Before applying, you're encouraged to contact the scholarship administrator to discuss the viability of your proposal. Contact Brad Langoulant at blangoulant@slv.vic.gov.au or on 03 8664 7046.
