Maine Library Association

The Phyllis E. Ainsworth Scholarship

The $2,000 Phyllis E. Ainsworth scholarship is awarded to an applicant based on the following criteria:

  1. The applicant is a resident of the state of Maine.
  2. The applicant is enrolled in an ALA accredited masters or doctoral degree program in library or information science, has completed at least one course in the program, and has maintained a minimum B average.
  3. The applicant must be a member of the Maine Library Association upon application submission.
Scholarships are awarded directly to the individual to defray tuition, supplies, room, board and other program related expenses. Scholarships are provided for one-time use only. No continued support for the recipient is stated or implied. Selection of the scholarship recipient is overseen by the Scholarship Committee; the committee may choose not to award a scholarship in any given year.

How to Apply

Please observe these instructions carefully when preparing your application. Applications that omit one or more of the following will not be considered.
  1. Completed application form.
  2. A statement of no more than 750 words demonstrating your understanding of a current challenge in Maine librarianship and how you might contribute to a solution.
  3. Electronic documentation of grades from the past semester. Please note that the winner will be required to submit official transcripts from their institution(s) before receiving their award.
  4. Current resume.
  5. Two letters of recommendation:
    1. one from a current instructor in your degree program
    2. one from a colleague or supervisor (family excluded).
  6. The application deadline is April 13, 2024. Awards will be announced in advance of the 2024 MLA Conference. 


Scholarship Application

Materials submitted will be held in confidence by the Scholarship Committee and become the property of the Maine Library Association. All application materials should be emailed as PDF files to the Chair of the Committee with the following naming conventions:

  • Last Name_Resume
  • Last Name_Statement
  • Last Name_Grades
  • Last Name_Recommendation 1
  • Last Name_Recommendation 2

Meg Gray
Scholarship & Grant Committee

atlarge2@mainelibraries.org

Past Scholarship Recipients

  • 2023 - Emmaline Bruce
  • 2022 - Wendy West
  • 2021 - Harley Rogers
  • 2020 - Leanne Oren
  • 2019 - Joanne Elwell
  • 2018 - Savannah Sessions
  • 2017 - Allison Atkins
  • 2016 - Kristi Bryant
  • 2015 - Abby Morrow
  • 2014 - Emma Jane Gibbon
  • 2013 - Jenna Duplisea
  • 2012 - Lisa Dibbern
  • 2011 - Elizabeth Phyllis Kane
  • 2010 - Iris Eichenlaub
  • 2009 - Rebecca D. Bushby
  • 2008 - Debora Cleveland
  • 2007 - Avery D Olmstead IV
  • 2006 - Erica Millette
  • 2005 - Ian Graham
  • 2004 - Cadence Atchison
  • 2003 - Julia Colvin
  • 2002 - Jan Hamilton
  • 2001 - Christine Carrington
  • 2000 - Priscilla Payne
  • 1999 - Anna-Lena Flotten
  • 1998 - Diana Sykes
  • 1997 - Laurie A. C. Rose & Paige M. McIntire
  • 1996 - Valerie McGuire Rich
  • 1995 - Margaret McNamee


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