VALA recognises that regional, rural and indigenous members of the Library community face additional barriers to participation in both library and technical events. The Diversity Scholarship is offered to individuals who in normal circumstances would not generally attend a VALA event or would struggle to attend due to financial or other hardship.
The VALA2022 Diversity Scholarship is proudly sponsored by SAGE Publishing (as part of the Inclusivity Partnership)
VALA2022 Diversity Scholarship
Applications for the VALA2022 Diversity Scholarship Awards are CLOSED.
Eligibility
The VALA2022 Diversity Scholarship is open to individuals who meet BOTH of the following eligibility criteria:
- Any person who is currently working in a library, or is seeking entry to the library and information services industry;
- Hasn’t previously attended a VALA Conference as a delegate;
In addition individuals MUST ALSO meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Any Australian person of Indigenous heritage;
- Any Australian person who resides in a regional, rural or remote location, including Darwin.
- Any person who resides in the Oceania region or Timor Leste (where Oceania is as defined by the United Nations Standard Country or Area Codes for Statistical Use; see HERE and choose “Geographic Regions” from the left drop down menu).
NB. Due to the impacts of Covid-19, only Australian residents can be considered for onsite attendance at VALA2022. Applications for online attendance are open to anyone meeting the above criteria.
Selection Criteria
Awarding of the Scholarships will be made on the following criteria:
- The impact the Scholarship will have on the Applicant’s future career in the library and/or technology sector.
- The ability of the Applicant to share the knowledge they gain at Conference with their local library and/or technical community via an online communication channel, such as blog, podcast, social media etc, as demonstrated through previous work, volunteer or student experience
Application/Nomination Process
The application process is as follows:
- Complete the application form on the relevant VALA webpage
AND EITHER
- Write a 200 word statement in the Application letter stating why you want to come, what you want to learn, how the community/organisation you serve will benefit from you attending
OR
- Produce a 3 minute video explaining the above
Scholarship Offer
Onsite (1 available):
- Up to $2,000 for flights and accommodation
- Conference Registration (value $990 at non-member early price)
- VALA mentor available, on request
- Attendance conditional on compliance with travel restrictions and government health directives in place at the time of the event, including full vaccination if mandated.
- VALA makes no provision for periods of quarantine if required by health directives in either Victoria or the place of origin.
Online (5 available):
- Conference Registration (value $330 at non-member price)
Closing Date for Applications: Monday 29 November, 2021.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Applicants residing in Australia may apply to attend either the onsite or online conference; applicants residing outside Australia may only apply to attend the online conference.
- Successful applicants who attend the onsite conference can apply for reimbursement of travel costs (including transport and accommodation) up to a total of $2000.
- Successful applicants who attend the conference online will be provided with their registration free of charge, but no financial support for any other expenses or loss of earnings they might incur.
Successful applicants will:
- Attend all VALA2022 sessions for which they have applied.
- Where appropriate, provide a detailed account of all expenses incurred, and all available supporting receipts.
- Where appropriate, comply with travel restrictions and government health directives in place at the time of the event, including full vaccination if mandated.
- Act in keeping with VALA’s Code of Conduct and any other requirements for safe and inclusive participation.
- Share the knowledge gained at VALA2022 with their local library and/or technical community via any form, such as blog, podcast, social media.
- Provide a 300-400 word post-event report, outlining key learnings and professional outcomes from the scholarship opportunity (for use in publications and reporting by VALA)