MALL Scholarships, Grants, and Awards

Purpose

The purpose of the grant and scholarship programs is to fulfill the educational mission of the Minnesota Association of Law Libraries (MALL) and support the recruitment of law librarians and in turn, MALL members. The budget to fund scholarships and grants is established by the MALL President and Executive Board. Any donations to MALL specifically designated for scholarships or grants shall be used for those purposes. 

MALL accepts nominations for two awards to promote and recognize outstanding service and contributions to MALL and/or to Minnesota law libraries. The Distinguished Service Award is presented in recognition of exceptional or outstanding service within the past year. The Law Librarianship Award is presented for outstanding continual contributions and service to MALL.

Available Awards

• Scholarship  
  
• Grants
• AALL Chapter Registration Award 
  
• Awards 

MALL Scholarship

Description

MALL awards one or more scholarships each fiscal year to MALL members enrolled in a degree granting program related to law librarianship. This scholarship is for tuition or other fixed expenses related to the educational process. The MALL Scholarship is awarded in the Spring for use during the first semester of the following academic year. Additional scholarships may be offered by the Association as funds become available. 

Scholarship Application Form: Word or PDF 

The deadline for receipt of applications is 5:00 pm (CST), on the second Friday in April of the current year.  Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements to apply for the scholarship are listed below. These requirements are non-negotiable. 

•  MALL Membership

A scholarship applicant must be a current member of MALL, with the current year’s dues paid at the time of application. 

A scholarship applicant must have a minimum of 12 months membership in MALL. 

• Degree Granting Program Related to Law Librarianship
  

The following are some examples of degree granting programs which qualify for the MALL Scholarship: 

Programs are not limited to those listed above. However, the program must be reasonably related to the advancement of the applicant’s career in law librarianship. The program must also be accredited by the appropriate regional or national accreditation organization (Higher Learning Commission, American Library Association, American Bar Association) as appropriate.

• Maintenance of Student Status

A scholarship applicant must have completed the equivalent of one semester of coursework by the end of the term in which the application is completed. 

A scholarship applicant must have at least half-time student status. 

A scholarship recipient who fails to maintain the eligibility requirements, or fails to complete the coursework during the semester for which the scholarship was awarded, is required to immediately notify the MALL Awards Committee Chair. Depending on the circumstances, the recipient may be required to repay all or part of the scholarship.

• Two Scholarship Awards Limit
  

Having received a MALL scholarship in the past does not prohibit application for a second scholarship. However, a MALL member may only be awarded a maximum of two MALL scholarships.

• Ineligible Applicants 
  

Members of the Scholarships, Grants, and Awards Committee are not eligible for scholarships. 

Incomplete applications or those received after the published deadline will not be considered. 

Application Evaluation 

This is a competitive award.  All applicants that meet the eligibility requirements listed above will be given consideration.  Each application will be considered on its own merits.  Although the MALL scholarship is competitive, a sole applicant will not necessarily be awarded or denied a scholarship.

• Priority for First-Time Scholarship Recipients
  

Priority will be given to MALL members who have not previously received a MALL scholarship.

• Preference for Applicants Demonstrating Commitment to Law Librarianship
  

Preference will be given to MALL members who have demonstrated a strong commitment to law librarianship. Examples of this commitment include but are not limited to:

MALL Grants

Description

MALL provides a number of grants to its members to attend MALL programs, AALL programs, and other appropriate educational events. The topic of these programs, conferences or workshops must be job-related and “continuing education” in nature.

The grants are intended for use by members to attend programs which they otherwise may not be able to attend. Grants are not limited to a specific dollar amount; however, they are intended for use to pay for fixed fees or expenses which can be documented such as registration, travel and lodging expenses.

Grant Application Form: Word or PDF

MALL Grants may be awarded throughout the year to assist members in attending a qualifying event as scheduled.  However, grant applications to attend the AALL Annual Meeting must be submitted by 5:00 pm (CST), of the second Friday in April of the current year. Grant applications for all other events should be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the event to provide adequate time for consideration of the application. The Committee will fund as many grants as possible within the budget provided by the MALL Executive Board.

Eligibility Requirements

There is no limit to the number of grants a MALL member can apply for or receive.  All grant applications that satisfy the eligibility requirements listed below will be considered by the Committee.  These requirements are non-negotiable.

• MALL Membership
  

A grant applicant must be a current member of MALL, with the current year’s dues paid at the time of application.

• Job Related / Continuing Education Program
  

The program/event that the applicant wishes to attend must be related to the applicant’s current job responsibilities and/or advance the applicant’s continuing education in law librarianship.

• MALL Newsletter Article Requirement
  

All applicants must agree to the statement on the grant application form that requires the successful applicant to write an article related to the program or event attended for the MALL Newsletter within two months following the event/program that the applicant attended.

• Notification of Non-Attendance & Refunding Additional Funds

• All applicants must agree to notify the Chair of the MALL Scholarships, Grants, and Awards Committee if the applicant cannot attend the program/event for any reason and refund the amount of the grant awarded to the MALL Treasurer.

  All applicants must also agree to notify the Chair of the MALL Scholarships, Grants, and Awards Committee if the applicant receives sufficient funding from another source that eliminates the need for the MALL Grant.  The applicant/grant recipient must refund the amount of the grant awarded to the MALL Treasurer.

• Ineligible Applicants 
  

Members of the Scholarships, Grants, and Awards Committee are not eligible for grants. 

Incomplete applications or those received after the published deadlines will not be considered.

Application Evaluation 

• Priority for First-Time Grant Recipients
  

Priority will be given to MALL members who have not previously received a MALL grant.

• Preference for Active MALL Members

Preference will be given to MALL members that have been actively involved in Association. Examples of active involvement include but are not limited to:

AALL Chapter Registration Award

Every three years, AALL makes available a Chapter Registration Award to MALL, 2019 was the last year this was available. The Chapter Registration Award underwrites one full registration to the AALL Annual Meeting. Preference is given to newer members of AALL and MALL with a record of activity in either or both associations.

“AALL's goal is to provide an enriching and valuable experience as the member learns and networks with colleagues from across the country. The result for the chapter and AALL is a member who supports and participates in her or his professional association, both locally and nationally.” Recipients receive recognition in the AALL Awards Brochure.

Information regarding the AALL Chapter Registration Award will be made known to the membership via the MALL Newsletter, the MALL website, the Committee webpage, or other announcements.

MALL Law Librarianship Award & Distinguished Service Awards

The Minnesota Association of Law Libraries occasionally presents special awards to its members: the Law Librarianship Award and the Distinguished Service Award.

Award Nomination Form Word or PDF

The MALL Law Librarianship Award is presented for outstanding continual contributions and service to the Association. Generally, award recipients are long-time members of MALL who have, through their tenure, generously participated in Association activities. Examples of such activities are committee participation; leadership (as committee chair or Association officer); teaching and instruction; recruiting opportunities; or other various ways which advance, and promote MALL and Minnesota law librarianship. This award may be given as a lifetime achievement award. Nominations may be submitted by any MALL member. List of past recipients

The MALL Distinguished Service Award is presented for exceptional or outstanding service to the Association or to Minnesota law libraries or librarians within the past year. This contribution could be for producing a work product (bibliography, index, union list, video, database, research service, web site, etc.) that substantially benefits the field of law librarianship; or other service that significantly advances the Association’s mission or goals. Nominations may be submitted by any MALL member.

Presentation of these awards is based on the merits and strengths of the nomination applications. The Scholarships, Grants, and Awards Committee are charged with soliciting, collecting and reviewing any nominations. The Committee selection is forwarded to the Executive Board and, if approved, is presented at the annual meeting in May.

Each award shall consist of an appropriate token of recognition from the Association.

Revised March 5, 2020