Mary V. Gaver Scholarship

Open to MLS students specializing in youth services in an ALA-accredited program.

About

Year Began: 2001

An annual scholarship consisting of $3,000 to a U.S./Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is pursuing an MLS specializing youth services in an ALA-accredited program.

Established to honor the memory of a past ALA president and Rutgers University professor who made many contributions in library youth services.

You can apply for all ALA Scholarships through the single online application hosted by the ALA Scholarship Program. The scholarship process is open annually from September 1st - March 1st.

Administered by:

Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR)

Categories:

• Children's and Youth Services
• Young Adult Services

Details

Frequency: Annual

Next Deadline: March 1, 2026

Application Information

Next Deadline: March 1, 2026

You can apply for a variety of scholarships through the single online application hosted by the ALA Scholarship Program.

The scholarship process is open annually from September 1st - March 1st.

Applications and reference forms (which must be submitted online) are available during that time period. Instructions and general information remain available year-round.

Before starting, read the ALA Scholarship FAQ, and carefully review the requirements in each category for the scholarships to which you are applying. Then complete the online application. PLEASE NOTE: It is only necessary to complete ONE online application regardless of the number of scholarships you apply for. You may apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for by checking the appropriate boxes on the application form.

Criteria

The following items are required for all scholarship applications. Be sure to check the requirements of the specific scholarship for which you are applying because you may need to mail additional documents.

Eligibility

• U.S. or Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Attend an ALA-accredited Master's Program.
• No more than 12 semester hours towards MLS/MLIS/MIS prior to June 1 of year awarded.
• Personal Statement.
• Applicant Responsibility
• Attend ALA ALA-accredited Master's Program.

Selection Criteria

The following items are required for all scholarship applications. Be sure to check the requirements of the specific scholarship for which you are applying because you may need to mail additional documents.

• Required. Completed online application (which includes a personal statement).
• Required. Completed references (only references on the official online form will be accepted).  A total of three references must be submitted. You will be prompted to indicate your professional references within the online application.
• Required. Official academic transcripts from institutions where you received your bachelors degree. These can be submitted directly from the institution, or mailed in the unopened envelope as received from the degree-granting institutions along with any other materials you may need to submit. Only official (sealed) copies will be accepted. All items must be received in the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse by March 1st to be considered.  The mailing address is: ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601.