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Professional Development Resources for Librarians: Funding Sources

New Mexico Library Foundation

New Mexico Library Foundation's (NMLF) mission statement:

The New Mexico Library Foundation supports identified needs of New Mexico libraries. We do this by providing grants to libraries to build and maintain their collections, update information access technology, and enhance library programs.

NMLF offers several grants including the Brooke E Sheldon Professional Development Grant.

National Funding Information

Library Funding | ALA 

Summary of Positions

  • ALA works to preserve and increase all current levels of federal funding for libraries across the country.
  • ALA works to preserve and enhance the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which distributes funds through state grants and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) per a national formula with a state match.
  • ALA works to preserve and enhance the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) grant program from the U.S. Department of Education, which supports school libraries and non-profit literacy organizations working to improve reading skills at the most critical early years of a child's development.
  • ALA communicates to Congress about the importance of funding federal libraries, like the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Libraries, the National Agricultural Library, and the National Library of Medicine.

Institute of Museum and Library Services (imls.gov) 

IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and Grants

The New Mexico Library Association offers a variety of scholarship and grant programs for its members. program descriptions and application procedures are provided below. If you have questions, please contact the Education Committee Chair at education@nmla.org.

Marion Dorroh Memorial Scholarship

The Marion Dorroh Memorial Scholarship supports new library professionals in New Mexico. The program provides scholarship awards to students enrolled in advanced degree programs in library and information science at ALA-accredited colleges and universities. This scholarship is available to both full-time and part-time students.

The deadline for 2024 has passed but keep this scholarship in mind and apply during the next application cycle. 

College Scholarship Fund

The NMLA College Scholarship Fund supports New Mexico library workers who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in library technology or school library certification. It can also be used for graduate study toward a teacher-librarian endorsement.

The deadline for 2024 has passed but keep this scholarship in mind and apply during the next application cycle. 

Continuing Education Grants

The NMLA Continuing Education Grant program provides funds to New Mexico library workers to promote ongoing library training and professional development. Grants may be used to attend the NMLA annual conference, workshops, other professional association meetings, or any type of library-related training activities. Awards of up to $200 are made on the basis of financial need.

Please apply in advance of the event for which you are seeking funds – No reimbursements for events already attended will be issued.

There is no deadline for Continuing Education Grant applications; however, funds available are limited and are distributed in the order that applications are received.

Applications will be accepted starting July 1, 2024.

Please contact education@nmla.org if you have any questions about applying for any of the NMLA scholarship or grant programs