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ALA Accepting Applications for the Julia J. Brody Scholarship for Public Librarians

The American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting applications for the Julia J. Brody scholarship for public librarians. The $4000 scholarship will be awarded to individuals planning to specialize in the field of public librarianship. Applicants who have been accepted to an ALA-accredited program are eligible for this scholarship. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2021.

 

The Julia J. Brody scholarship was made possible through a bequest from the estate of Julia Jussim Brody, who earned degrees at Hunter College and Columbia University’s School of Library Science. During WWII she worked as a librarian at a military post in California where her husband was stationed. She spent the remainder of her career in The New York Public Library (NYPL), beginning in 1946 when she trained as a children’s librarian at the Fort Washington Branch. She became the first borough children’s librarian for the Bronx, then Bronx Borough Coordinator, and then Coordinator of Administrative Services for the Branch Library System. Brody always maintained and defended the importance of both the branch libraries and children’s services even as she moved up through the NYPL system. As associate director for Central Library Services, she was involved in developing the General Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, the Schomburg and Donnell Libraries, and the Mid-Manhattan Library, at which she served as Chief (1976-1988) until her retirement. A once and forever children’s librarian, she reviewed books for the Newbery Award and for Saturday Review, recognized the value of Lord of the Rings immediately upon reading an advanced copy, and delighted in the first Harry Potter book before it ever became internationally famous. She was noted for her storytelling both in the library and with neighborhood and family children. She never lost her interest in and love of children’s books and generously shared that joy as well as the books with young readers.

 

Criteria for the scholarship includes previous academic excellence, evidence of leadership potential, and a commitment to a career in public librarianship. All application materials including references, transcripts, and other documents must be received no later than March 1st.

 

For details and more information visit the Julia J. Brody scholarship page.

 

The ALA Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR) manages the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse.

 

Originally published at https://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2020/11/ala-accepting-applications-julia-j-brody-scholarship-public-librarians

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