Louise A. Nixon Scholarship

Louise A. Nixon (1897-1989) worked constantly to enlighten the legislature about Nebraska 's libraries' needs. She served as Assistant Director of the Nebraska Legislative Reference Bureau and as Legislative Council Librarian. Louise Nixon was head of the Nebraska Library Commission from 1950 to 1969. When federal funds were made available, she initiated bookmobile demonstration projects; public library construction; extension services; services to institutional residents and the physically challenged; and an inter-library communication network. Our lives have been enriched by her open-minded, conscientious dedication to building library service in this state.

When Nixon reflected on her life for the Lincoln Journal , the paper wrote, “There is no single figure of greater 20 th century significance in developing Nebraska's contemporary system of community libraries – facilities, collections, trained personnel, cooperative networking.”

This scholarship was established to help each recipient reach for Nixon's goals of dedication and vision.

The application deadline is April 15 th of the current year. Scholarship recipients will be announced in May.

Purpose

The Louise A. Nixon Scholarship Fund was established to support students who pursue graduate level library education. Full-time and part-time students are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants must meet these Nebraska Library Association guidelines.

Applicant Requirements

  1. Applicant must be accepted by an ALA-accredited graduate school of library/information science; OR , Applicant must be accepted by a graduate media program that meets the ALA/AASL curriculum guidelines within a unit accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

  2. Applicant must meet one of the following criteria but must answer all questions:
    1. Resident of Nebraska for at least one year
    2. Member of NLA for at least one year
    3. Employee, past or present, of a Nebraska library for at least one year
  3. Applicant will submit an official copy of his or her college transcript.
  4. Applicant will submit two letters of recommendation.
  5. Applicant will write a personal statement explaining (1) her or his employment history; (2) his or her employment expectations after graduation; and (3) her or his expected graduation date.
  6. Applicant will provide his or her estimated education expenses.
  7. A personal interview may be requested by the Scholarship Committee.

Scholarship Conditions

  1. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate the best potential for employment in Nebraska libraries after graduation.
  2. One award per person is given. Scholarship applicants must deserve the award. Scholarships will not be awarded automatically if only one person applies.
  3. Applications must be received by the NLA Scholarship Committee on or before April 15 th of the current year.
  4. Scholarships will be paid directly to the educational institution. If the award exceeds the remaining tuition, the extra money can be used for school-related expenses.
Click here to get a printable application form