Prairielands supports career development by offering continuing education scholarships to staff in member libraries. Scholarships are offered on both a quarterly ($400) and annual ($1200) basis for any appropriate training, workshop, or seminar, including annual events such as MLA, ITEM, Children’s Literature conference, etc. Staff of member libraries may apply for one quarterly scholarship per quarter of Prairieland’s fiscal year in addition to one annual scholarship. Scholarships may not be combined for use at the same event. The fiscal year quarters are:
- Quarter 1, July – September
- Quarter 2, October – December
- Quarter 3, January – March
- Quarter 4, April – June
All scholarships reimburse expenses related to the continuing education program. An eligible expense might include a registration fee, lodging, mileage, etc. Paid receipts will be required. Check with Prairielands for expenses that differ from these examples. Please note that as of July 1st, 2025, the guidelines have been updated to reflect a per-diem allotment for meal expenses. Recipients are required to share their experience with other Prairielands members by submitting a report of at least 500 words through our online form. Reimbursement forms for all scholarships are attached to approval letters.
Travel Expense Policy High-Cost Localities Applicant Checklist
Quarterly Scholarships: $400
Scholarship Guidelines Scholarship Application Scholarship Report
Annual Scholarships: $1200
Scholarship Guidelines Scholarship Application Scholarship Report
Continuing Education Opportunities
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Prairielands encourages staff in member libraries to investigate trends and changes in library programs and job descriptions through continuing education. Organizations listed below provide continuing education opportunities in the form of conferences, webinars and self-paced learning. While many charge for their services, some are free. This list is not and will not attempt to be exhaustive. It is also not intended to imply Prairielands scholarships will only be granted for these opportunities.
Prairielands Library Basics
Register to view these tutorials
- Information Literacy
- Reference Interview
- Finding an Article from a Citation
- Legal and Medical Assistance, not Advice
- Problem Patrons
- Dealing with Stress, Pressure and Burnout
Minnesota
- Level Up! Minnesota
- Minitex Training and Events
- Continuing Education Calendar
- Linking Our Libraries classes – CMLE (Central Minnesota Library Exchange)
- Linking Our Libraries podcasts – CMLE
Scholarship Reports
Scholarship Reports:
Camp Read A Lot 2019 by Bronwyn Wenzel / Camp Read A Lot 2019
I attended Camp Read A Lot on August 7. This [...]
Reading Guidance for Young Adults by Courtney Walsh / KMS Public Schools (Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg)
I took two courses during spring semester at St. Cloud [...]
MILE (MN Library Association Institute for Leadership Excellence) by Nicole Schmiesing / Benson/Kerkhoven Public Libraries
I am a member of the MILE Cohort 2019. This [...]
Association of College & Research Libraries Conference by Pam Gladis / Southwest Minnesota State University
Thanks to Prairielands for providing funds supporting my trip to [...]
ACRL by Mara Wiggins / McFarland Library, Southwest Minnesota State University
I attended the 2019 ACRL conference in Cleveland (April 10-13). [...]
LibTech by Emily Sovell / SMSU McFarland Library
Thank you for the opportunity to attend LibTech at Macalester [...]