Prairielands supports career development by offering continuing education scholarships to staff in member libraries. Scholarships are offered on both a quarterly ($400) and annual ($1000) 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 annual scholarship per year in addition to one quarterly scholarship per fiscal quarter. 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. Recipients are required to share their experience with other Prairielands members by submitting a report through an online form. Reimbursement forms for all scholarships are attached to approval letters.
Quarterly Scholarships: $400
- Scholarship Guidelines
- Scholarship Application
- Scholarship Report
Annual Scholarships: $1000
- Scholarship Guidelines
- Scholarship Application
- Scholarship Report
Diversity in Rural Libraries:
A Year-Long Professional Development Focus
Teen Summit 2024: Teens and Rural Diversity
Registration closes March 12th!
Continuing Education Opportunities
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
Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference by Thomas Flynn / Marshall-Lyon County Library
This was an immensely valuable event overall, and it highlighted [...]
SLIS Graduate Coursework through Mankato State University – KSP 630 Materials for Young Adults by Johanna Hanneman
As a continuation of my path to obtaining licensure in [...]
Young Adult Services Symposium by Emily Blaeser / Meinders Community Library
I attended the virtual Young Adult Services Symposium. I've always [...]
MLA 2020 by Rachelle Golde / Hutchinson Public Library and Litchfield Public Library
MLA 2020 wrap up notes for Prairielands I was able [...]
ALA Virtual – Community Through Connection by Emily Blaeser / Meinders Community Library
I've attended an ALA Annual and Midwinter before, but it's [...]
SLIS Graduate Coursework through Mankato State University – KSP 622 Materials for Children by Johanna Hanneman / ISD 423 – Hutchinson Public Schools – K-5 Libraries
Entering my third semester at Mankato State University, I elected [...]