sternheim memorial scholarship
Purpose
Karen Sternheim
The Karen Sternheim Memorial Scholarship was established to provide assistance to a student enrolled in a graduate master's degree program in library and information studies who intends to pursue a career in special librarianship. The $3,000 scholarship is awarded annually by the Southern California Chapter of the Special Libraries Association.
Eligibility Guidelines
An applicant must be a permanent resident of California or Nevada (defined as one whose voter's registration is in California or Nevada and who has a California or Nevada's driver's license or the equivalent). An applicant must be enrolled in an ALA accredited masters degree program in library and information studies or provide proof of acceptance to such a program. However, there is no geographic restriction on the school in which the applicant is enrolled. Each applicant is expected to be a member of SLA, and is strongly encouraged to be affiliated with the Southern California or Nevada chapter. An applicant must demonstrate interest in a career in special libraries.
Procedures
Your application packet must contain three (3) complete sets of the application materials-one set for each judge. All pieces of the application packet must be received by April 11, 2008. The application packet consists of:
- Application form: RTF format
- A 500 - 1000 word essay discussing the applicant's interest and experience in special libraries and the contributions he or she hopes to make to the field of special librarianship.
- Three letters of recommendation, at least one from a faculty member, each accompanied by the Recommendation form: RTF Format
- A copy of your California or Nevada drivers license or voter registration card must be submitted with the essay for proof of residency.
All paperwork and deliberations by the Scholarship Committee shall be confidential. Application materials will be accepted by mail. Applications may NOT be sent via e-mail or fax. The use of express mail and overnight delivery services is permitted, but it is the applicant's responsibiilty to ensure that all application materials arrive before or on April 11, 2008. The Scholarship Committee will not consider an incomplete application. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all application materials, including letters of recommendation, are received by the due date. Applicants who have questions about what documents have been received by the committee may contact the committee chair.
Criteria for Evaluation
The Scholarship Committee will evaluate applicants based on their scholastic records, their written statements and the statements in their references. Although transcripts from undergraduate institutions are not required, applicants are asked to indicate their undergraduate GPA on the application form. In addition, the written comments from references, as pertaining to applicants' scholastic abilities will be taken into account. The coherency of the applicant's written statements, including style and grammar, will also be considered in the evaluation process.
Committee
The Scholarship Committee is made up of Peter Johnson, Rita Costello, and Vicky McCargar.
Past Scholarship Recipients
| Year | Name | School |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Brett VanBenschoten | San Jose State University |
| 2007 | Rachel Clarke | San Jose State University |
| 2006 | Katherine Shilton | UCLA |
| 2005 | Peggy Shin | UCLA |
| 2004 | John Juricek | UCLA |
| 2003 | Christy Thomas | UCLA |
| 2002 | Natalie Joy Kamper | UCLA |
| 2001 | Aura Lippincott | UCLA |
| 2000 | Natasha Bergson-Michelson | San Jose State University |
| 2000 | Laurie C. Blasingame | San Jose State University |
| 1999 | Heather Lynne Hepler | University of North Texas |
| 1998 | Cathy Spitzer | University of Texas |
| 1997 | Kim Laru | San Jose State University |
| 1996 | Sharlene Matsuhara | Simmons College |