Do you want to attend a professional conference or workshop, or a class that will help you gain that particular skill that will help you perform your job even better, but your organization just doesn’t have the money to send you? Metronet can help! Metronet offers two kinds of scholarships to members who wish to attend professional development events/training. See below for details.
Continuing Education Scholarship
Staff who are members of a Metronet library may apply for a scholarship. Preference is given to staff not at the system/district level. First-time scholarship applicants also receive preference. You can view the membership list on the Metronet website to see if your institution is a member: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qCruNV7V1mQEq8EKL4gdgEMmNYjetYFSZQHK9-mg7g0/edit?usp=sharing
Applicants may apply for up to $500 to cover costs of an event. Individuals may only receive one scholarship every other fiscal year. Metronet’s fiscal year runs July 1-June 30.
Scholarship applications must be received 8 weeks prior to the next Metronet Board meeting to be funded. Scholarships will not be awarded retroactively. The Board meeting schedule can be found here.
Scholarships are reviewed and accepted or rejected by the Metronet Governing Board using the following scoring rubric:
Metronet Continuing Education Scholarship – Scoring Rubric (pdf)
Read the Metronet Scholarship Guidelines for more information on eligibility and allowed expenses. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KFmQfIvT5mN1OWSbw7oy1qMhc7G4s9os/view?usp=sharing
Applicants will be notified when the application is received and again after the Governing Board has made a decision.
Applications must use the form provided below. Be sure to complete both sections of the form and sign it (typing your name is fine).
Application Form for FY22: https://forms.gle/7HprXdc4DTpyLF9v5
Recipients must submit a report of their experience and receipts for the event using this form no later than 30 days after the event.
Report Form for FY22: https://forms.gle/zUfk4PLeQCmtzQaXA
Lars Steltzner Scholarship
The Metronet Board has created a scholarship for library staff in the seven-county metro area in honor of Lars Steltzner who passed away in the summer of 2008. Lars was a true believer in libraries of all types and believed that if one library is strengthened, all are stronger. He was a great supporter of media specialists and librarians just beginning their careers and was always generous with his time and knowledge. His service on the Metronet Governing Board was greatly appreciated.
The Lars Steltzner Scholarship will be given annually to one staff person from a Metronet member library who is early in their career (five years or less). This scholarship of $1000 may be used for expenses for a continuing library education event or a national or local library conference. Recipients are eligible to receive the scholarship once in their career.
If you apply for a scholarship, it will be considered by the board at its Nov or Jan meeting. Be sure to use the new FY22 form!
Application Form for FY22: https://forms.gle/7HprXdc4DTpyLF9v5
Recipients must submit a report of their experience and receipts for the event using this form no later than 30 days after the event.
Report Form for FY22: https://forms.gle/zUfk4PLeQCmtzQaXA
Click here to read about events people attended with the help of a Metronet CE Scholarship!
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Metronet office at admin@metronet.lib.mn.us.