I. Purpose
Enable ABQLA members receiving the award to participate in a professional development opportunity relevant to their profession.

II. Goals

• Provide professional enrichment opportunities for ABQLA members that might not otherwise be accessible
• Heighten the profile of ABQLA among the library and information studies community
• Provide members with a positive experience with ABQLA thereby strengthening membership retention and participation
• Encourage the exchange of research-related practical expertise.

III. Award

For the purposes of this application, Professional Development includes: attendance and/or presentations at conferences, workshops or seminars; participation in courses (in person or online). One award will be offered. The award will include $750 plus complimentary registration at the annual ABQLA Conference in Montreal, Quebec.

IV. Eligibility

• The award will be open to all current or new ABQLA members, working in a library or information studies-related field
• Students are not eligible
• Applicants who are not already ABQLA members must enclose membership fee and membership application form with their award application
• Recipients can only receive the award once
• The professional development opportunity must take place no later than March 1, 2019.

V. Application Process
In order to be considered eligible, candidates are invited to submit an application package demonstrating their suitability for the award. The application package should include:

• A proposal form with an attached curriculum vitae
• A recommendation form (to be completed and submitted by a relevant employer, volunteer coordinator, professional mentor or other colleague)

All forms and documents must be completed and submitted by the application deadline listed below. You should receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. Please write to awards@abqla.qc.ca if you do not receive a confirmation or if you experience any problems with the form.

VI. Responsibilities of the winners

• Write an article for the ABQLA Bulletin
• Agree to have photo and biographical information on the ABQLA website
• Accept the award at the ABQLA Annual Conference with a brief thank you speech
• Acknowledgement funding on any presentation or poster (e.g., "this X funded by the ABQLA Professional Development Award”).

We also encourage successful applicants to share and publicize the news of their win through appropriate communication channels.

VII. Selection Criteria
The committee will select the Professional Development Award recipient based on the following factors, in descending order of importance:

- Responses to open-ended questions on the proposal form
- Recommendation letter from an employer, volunteer coordinator or professional mentor
- Overall strength of curriculum vitae.

For more information about how these factors are evaluated, see our detailed list of selection criteria

VIII. Deadline for Submission

The application deadline is EXTENDED: Friday, February 16, 2018 (11:59 p.m.).

IX. Selection Notification

Professional Development Award applicants will be notified via e-mail by Friday, March 9, 2018.

For questions contact awards@abqla.qc.ca.