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Nebraska Library Commission Website

Fern V. Heim Library Trustee Scholarship

Apply for an individual $500 scholarship to attend either the NLA 2024 Conference in Kearney on October 9th-11th or to the ARSL 2024 Conference in Springfield, MA on September 11th-14th!

The Fern V. Heim Scholarship for Trustees was established by her friend, Mary Louise Dutcher, to honor Fern’s dedication to small public libraries and their trustees. Although Fern’s library career began in special libraries (Head of the UNL Chemistry Department Library, Serials and Circulation Departments of UNL Love Library, and then Director of the Research Library at Goodrich Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio), her work at the Nebraska Library Commission was devoted to public libraries. Recognizing that few small library budgets could provide support for librarians, let alone their volunteer trustees, to attend professional meetings, she encouraged them to go whenever possible (at their own expense) if only for a portion of the meeting. As her legacy, it is fitting to assist those trustees through this scholarship program.

The Fern V. Heim Scholarship Award was established to provide assistance to current public library trustees with preference to members of the Nebraska Library Association Public Library and Trustee Section (PLTS) for attendance at the Nebraska Library Association Conference or the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference.

The purpose of these grants is to assist Nebraska libraries in improving the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library trustees. Successful applications will show how attending this conference will support the library's mission.

Eligible costs include:

  • Registration
  • Travel
  • Meals
  • Lodging
  • Preconference fees (but does not include networking or social events)

The applicant must be a current board member of an accredited Nebraska public library at the time of application and for the duration of the conference.

Applications (see below) must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. CST on August 16, 2024. Faxes and U.S. mail will not be accepted. We will inform applicants whether they have received a grant on or before July 14, 2023.

We must also recieve, by 11:59 p.m. CST August 16, 2024, attached to the application or under separate cover, a completed acknowledgement and indication of support form from the head of the library board, or the Library Director.

**Notes** The Nebraska Library Commission is not responsible for registering individuals for any conferences or making any travel arrangements. This is a reimbursement grant. If awarded a grant, you will register for the conference and all other travel plans, attend, then request reimbursement (with receipts) after the conference is completed.

After the application is approved:

If you are awarded a CE Grant, you will receive more detailed information, including the grant agreement with the Nebraska Library Commission which must be signed, and additional details for requesting payment/reimbursement.

The Nebraska Library Commission is not responsible for making any arrangements for travel or registration for individuals or projects.

Submit all grant application forms and questions to:
Holli Duggan

Application Forms:

  1. Grant Application - Individuals (Online Learning or Conference)
  2. Acknowledgement and Indication of Support Form
  3. NLA Conference Website
  4. ARSL Conference Website
For more information, contact Holli Duggan.