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
The Power of Play by Ria Newhouse / Spicer Public Library
I attended the Power of Play workshop, facilitated by the [...]
The Representation of Indigenous Peoples in Children’s Literature by Jill Deinken / Redwood Falls Public Library
I attended the workshop on November 9 at St Catherine's [...]
Camp Read a Lot by Amy Anderson / Pioneerland Graceville Library
Camp Read a Lot never fails to bring me excitement. [...]
2019 MLA Conference by Michele A. Leininger / Marshall-Lyon County Library
Thank you so much for providing funding to attend the [...]
MLA 2019 by Gabby Fountain / Glencoe Public Library
Libraries: Stronger Together 2019 MLA Conference highlights: *The Interlocked Library: [...]
MLA 2019 Libraries: Stronger Together by Jackee Fountain / Glencoe Public Library
The 2019 MLA Conference themed “Libraries: Stronger Together” is similar [...]