• identify as belonging to one or more marginalized, minoritized, and racialized communities seeking general professional development**,
• are looking to develop skills in providing culturally relevant services to communities that are historically and currently underserved and under-resourced**,
  OR
• are seeking professional development on, related to or impacting efforts towards equity, diversity, inclusion and/or antiracism in their libraries or the communities they serve

*Scholarships are made possible in whole by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.

 **These applicants will be given priority.

Scholarships are issued on a reimbursement basis; if this presents a hardship, please let us know in your application.

Scholarship funds can be used for:

• fees for conference registrations, pre-conferences, webinars, online courses, etc.
• travel expenses to attend professional development events, such as:
• airfare (economy rate) and up to one checked bag,
• lodging and meals (at the GSA per diem rate) and/or,
• ground transportation such as a rental car, mileage in a personal vehicle (at GSA rate).
• substitute coverage while attending a professional development event.

Scholarship funds cannot be used for:

• association membership fees,
• costs incurred by family members or friends who accompany a recipient to an event;
• books or other supplies associated with completing a library or information science degree program,
• attending professional meetings where the only purpose is to conduct the business of the professional organization, or
• international travel.

Applications will be reviewed on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, January through June of 2025, by the OLA EDIA Committee with support from the State Library of Oregon. 

Members of the selection team who apply for a scholarship will be recused from that round of discussion and selection.

Unless otherwise worked out with the committee, the following criteria must be met:

• The learning event must begin before the end of July 2025.
• Recipients must complete a short post-evaluation survey provided by the State Library of Oregon.

For any other questions, please contact the EDIA Committee Chairs at [email protected]

If you're ready, you can apply here. You can download PDF versions for your offline reference:

• Informational page (this page)
• Application form (form)

While not a definitive list, here are some organizations that may offer appropriate learning events for your consideration.