Mary Jo Lynch Award for LIS Students Available

Posted by Alex Lehner on

Purpose: To encourage library school student statistical research using public library data collected at the state and national level.

Sponsors: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS), American Library Association (ALA), Public Library Association (PLA), Federal-State Cooperative System (FSCS) for public library data collection.

Eligibility: Any student working toward a degree from a program of library and information science accredited by ALA.

Criteria: The winning entry must be:

  • Appropriate for submission and possible publication in a regional, state, or national library print or online journal
  • Based on state and/or national FSCS public library data
  • The winning entry must possess the following:
  • Clearly written:

Abstract
Purpose or thesis statement and/or hypothesis
Methodology or methodologies used
Data and analysis
Findings
Conclusions with recommendations for future study

  • Potential to directly or indirectly effectively promote public libraries

Timing: This will be an annual competition, but eligibility for the first two years, 2006 and 2007, can be for any research paper completed after January 1, 2004. Beginning with the 2007 award, papers must be completed after January 1 of the year preceding the award. (e.g., the 2007 award will be for a paper completed after January 1, 2006).

The award will be announced at the FSCS Conference held annually in December.

Submissions: Candidates must email an electronic copy of the research paper no later than September 15 to:

Neal K. Kaske
NCLIS
Telephone: 202-606-9200
Email: nkaske@nclis.gov
Subject: Mary Jo Lynch Award

Form of Award: The winner will receive an engraved plaque and funding for attendance at either the ALA national conference or the PLA national conference. Winners may be asked to present a summary of the research paper findings.

Costs paid will include actual and necessary expenses of conference attendance, including registration, travel, food, and lodging. Payment will be according to federal travel reimbursement guidelines. (ALA will provide funding for registration and lodging. NCES will provide funding for all other allowable expenses.)

Suggested Data Sources:

<!–Library Research Service (sources of state data):
http://www.lrs.org/asp_public/other.asp

–>

  1. NCLIS (US Library Data Sources and Analysis)
  2. NCES Publications
  3. Data Files

For further information contact:

Neal K. Kaske
Email: nkaske@nclis.gov