The Begun Scholarship
- DATE DUE: Applications must be received by July 1. In the case of a tie, interviews will be conducted with the top candidates, either in-person or via conference call. All candidates will be notified of their status in September.
- Complete and print the application form, then mail with requested materials to the CLA office.
- Informational Flier
The Begun Scholarship, named in memory of former librarian Betty Begun, supports continuing library school students who have demonstrated a commitment to becoming children's or young adult librarians in a California public library.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be a permanent California resident currently enrolled in an ALA-accredited master's of library and information science or information studies program. In addition, applicants must have completed their core coursework at the time of application. Applicants must show evidence of commitment to becoming a children's or young adult librarian in a California public library. Students planning to become school librarians are not eligible. Applicants must be US citizens and California residents. Although applicants do not have to be members of the California Library Association at the time of application, the recipient is expected to become a CLA member once the award has been announced, and will be encouraged to participate in the CLA conference where the scholarship will be presented. The Begun Committee reserves the right not to award a scholarship if a qualified candidate is not found.
To apply, please submit the following:
- Application form.
- An official record of master's-level courses completed to date (does not have to be an official transcript).
- Two letters of recommendation, including one from a library school professor.
- A resume (maximum two pages).
- A brief (maximum 125 words) biographical statement.
- An essay (maximum 1000 words, typed, double-spaced) describing applicant's interest in and commitment to youth librarianship.
- A photo of yourself. If you wish to submit a digital photo, send it to lfisher@cla-net.org with "Began Applicant Photo" as your subject. Photographs will not be considered as part of the application process, but if you win, the photo be shown at the Awards Dinner during our Annual Conference.
AMOUNT:
One scholarship of $3000 will be awarded annually. Funds will be distributed in two equal payments: half at the time of the award announcement and half after the student successfully completes the school term (semester or quarter) following the award announcement. Recipients must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.
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2007 Begun Scholarship Winner
CLA's annual Begun Scholarship for future youth services librarians has been awarded to Ben Gomberg, Teen Services Intern at San Jose Public Library's Educational Park Branch. Ben also serves as a Library Clerk at San Jose's Harker School, where he has provided library services for both middle and upper school students. Ben will be presented with the scholarship at the CLA Conference Awards Dinner in Long Beach on October 26, 2007.
Ben was born in Oakland, California. He attended Tufts University in Massachusetts, where he majored in and earned a dual Bachelor of Arts Degree in World Literatures and Spanish, graduating magna cum laude. After spending time in Spain, as well as the East Coast, Ben returned to California. He is currently attending San Jose State University School of Library & Information Science where he plans to earn his MLIS in 2008. He says he has never lived more than three blocks from a library.
The Begun Scholarship Committee was impressed with Ben's passion and commitment to and respect for the young adults he serves. In his essay, Ben stressed the positive contributions that young adults and libraries can make working together, "In a state where the socioeconomic and ethnic makeup of young people is far from consistent with the aging population it is more important than ever that young people be given the chance to be a strong, positive voice in their communities...There are language barriers to overcome, as well as prejudices of racism, class discrimination, and ageism. Libraries are one of the institutions equipped to overcome these obstacles...It is my belief that young adults have the ability to change the world...It is my greatest wish to help libraries guide and accompany this generation, and the one that follows it, as they become influential voices in their communities, and the world." The Begun Committee congratulates Ben Gomberg and looks forward to watching the progress of his career as a Young Adult Librarian.