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:
MLA 2016 by Gabby Fountain / Glencoe & Brownton Libraries
The first session I attended this year at MLA was [...]
MLA Conference 2016 by Jackee Fountain / Glencoe & Brownton Libraries
Minnesota Library Association Conference 2016 was certainly another learning experience. [...]
M.L.A. by Lynette Nelson / Appleton Public Library
Duluth was a wonderful venue for M.L.A. last week! We [...]
2016 Annual Minnesota Library Association: Future Present Past by Cindy Hendrickx /
The Minnesota Library Association Conference is something I look forward [...]
MLA by Dawn Dailey / Benson Public Library
I enjoyed the conference very much. I attended a few [...]
MLA Conference by Ria Newhouse / Spicer, New London, Lake Lillian, Raymond Public Libraries
I haven't attended MLA in a number of years and [...]