About NASIG

Who is eligible for the award?
Students who are entering an ALA-accredited graduate library program (or Mexican equivalent) or have completed no more than twelve hours of academic requirements towards the graduate degree. All applicants must have serials-related work experience and a desire to pursue a professional serials career after earning the graduate degree. This award is open to qualified students in any NASIG member country (defined for this purpose as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Greenland).

What is NASIG?
Established in 1985, NASIG is an independent, international organization committed to promoting communication and sharing of ideas among all people working with or concerned about serial publications. More information about NASIG is available at NASIG website.

Do I have to join NASIG in order to apply for the award?
No, membership in NASIG is not required. However, the recipient will receive a free year's membership in NASIG.

What does NASIG expect from the winner?
NASIG requires that the recipient be enrolled in at least six credit hours of library/information science courses per semester/quarter during the academic year for which the scholarship is granted. A sealed, official copy of the winner's Library School Graduate transcript will be required before the awarding of the scholarship funds can occur. If the winner has yet to complete any Library/Information Science Graduate coursework at the time that scholarship funds are awarded, a sealed, official transcript may be requested after the first semester of coursework has been completed.

NASIG also expects the winner to be able to attend the 2012 Annual NASIG Conference (holding the appropriate visa if outside the U.S.).

How many scholarships will be awarded?
At least one scholarship is awarded per academic year.

Where is the conference going to be held?
The 2012 Annual Conference will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, June 7-10, 2012. The theme for this year's conference is "Creating Harmony from Dis-Chord."

What is the award application deadline?
February 20, 2012

When will the winner of the award be notified?
Every effort will be made to notify all winners by March 20, 2012.

If I am a successful applicant, when will my free year of NASIG membership begin and end?

The free year of membership begins with the first day of the 2012 Annual Conference and concludes with the first day of the 2013 Annual Conference.

Can I re-apply if I do not get the award this year?
Yes, all qualified applicants not receiving the award are encouraged to re-apply as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.

What does the scholarship include and how are travel plans arranged?
The scholarship recipient will receive $3,000 and a NASIG Conference Student Grant Award. A member of the NASIG Awards & Recognition Committee will be in contact with all award winners to make travel arrangements. All expenses for travel within North America, registration, and three nights lodging will be paid by NASIG. Conference registration includes most meals, and a stipend of $75 is intended to offset the cost of meals not included and transportation between the airport and the conference hotel. All award winners will be asked to share rooms with another award winner.

What type of clothing should I bring?
The conference is very informal where casual clothes are the norm! Prior to the conference, NASIG tries to advise conference attendees on weather forecasts and recommended attire. An informal and relaxed atmosphere is encouraged.

Can I fax or email my application?
Only applications submitted as email attachments, either as Word documents or plain text (.txt) will be accepted (except for the transcript/proof of admission).

How do I apply?
Application forms and reference questionnaires will be available after November 1, 2011, through the NASIG Awards web page, and from Jessica Ireland, Chair, Awards & Recognition Committee. Applications must be written in Microsoft Word or plain text format (.txt) and will only be accepted in electronic form (except for the transcript/proof of admission, if necessary). Completed applications and all related materials should be emailed to:

Jessica Ireland
Chair, NASIG Awards & Recognition Committee
Radford University
email: jlireland@radford.edu
phone:  540-831-7158
fax: 540-831-6214

ONLY the applicant's current Library Science Graduate transcript or proof of admission to an ALA-accredited program may be faxed.