Professional Development Award

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

    • 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.

  • 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 $500 plus complimentary registration at the annual ABQLA Conference in Montreal, Quebec.

    • 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

    • Please note that you must already be a member of the ABQLA to be eligible for this award. If you are not, please sign up here.

    • Recipients can only receive the award once

    • The professional development opportunity must take place no later than one year following receipt of the award.

    • Please note that applications are currently closed.

  • 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 completed application form

      • Includes a recommendation completed and submitted by a relevant employer, volunteer coordinator, professional mentor or other colleague.

    • A curriculum vitae

    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 contact us if you do not receive a confirmation or if you experience any problems with the form.

    • 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

    • Acknowledge 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.

  • Primary Criteria:

    Enrichment opportunity for the candidate:

    • Demonstrated uniqueness of opportunity offered by award

    • Demonstrated relevance of the professional development opportunity to the candidate and to their library community

    • Clear explanation of how the money will be spent.

    Additional Criteria:

    Candidate’s contributions to ABQLA or the broader library and information sector, e.g:

    • Demonstrated contributions to or involvement in the library and information sector (e.g. volunteering, work experience, professional development activities).

    • Demonstrated contributions to the activities of ABQLA or of another library association

    • Demonstrated participation in the activities of the ABQLA or of another library association

    • Demonstrated potential for contributions to ABQLA

    • Professional publications and/or conference presentations.

    • Previous awards, honours and/or commendations

    • Quality of application package, eg:

      • Completeness of answers to all questions

      • Quality of writing in proposal form

      • Relevance of recommendation

      • Presentation of CV.

  • Applications are currently closed.

  • Selected applicants will be notified via e-mail.

    The awards committee reserves the right not to grant an award in any given year, contingent upon funding and the application of a suitable candidate.

Application Form (currently closed)
See Past Professional Development Award Recipients