Library Science MLS Degree Program
East Carolina University
NC-EDDS Scholarship Application
The North Carolina Economically Disadvantaged and Diversity Scholarships (NC-EDDS) is a program to recruit school library media specialists, especially from economically disadvantaged and/or historically under-represented backgrounds, and place them in NC school library media centers. This NC-EDDS scholarship award has been made possible by a generous grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a U.S government agency. This IMLS grant is the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarians program, named for former First Lady Laura Bush, who began her career as a school librarian.
Who is encouraged to apply:
1) Candidates with a bachelor’s degree who can demonstrate financial need, especially those who live in economically disadvantaged communities in rural North Carolina, and who will consider employment as a media specialist in a North Carolina school district media center, primarily in eastern North Carolina school districts or rural and/or economically disadvantaged schools
(2) Candidates with a bachelor’s degree from historically under-represented backgrounds, especially those who live in economically disadvantaged communities in rural North Carolina, and who will consider employment as a media specialist in a local school district media center, primarily in eastern North Carolina school districts or rural and/or economically disadvantaged schools.
(3) Candidates with a bachelor’s degree who will consider employment as a media specialist in a North Carolina school district media center, primarily in eastern North Carolina school districts or rural and/or economically disadvantaged schools.
All scholarship applicants must be accepted into the ECU Graduate School before they can receive the scholarship funds, even if they have been awarded the scholarship prior to admissions. See information on applying to the Graduate School on page 3 below.
Deadline to apply: June 1, 2014
What must I do to apply for the scholarship:
1. Complete this application, including the required essays
2. Obtain three letters of reference:
a. Letters of reference from professional relationships are preferred (co-workers, supervisors, your instructors from college course work).
b. Your letters of reference may be used for your Graduate School admissions
3. Submit the completed application, copies of the letters of reference and resume to:
Dr. John B. Harer, NC-EDDS coordinator
Library Science Degree Program
Mailstop 172
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
Section 1: Essential Information
Date: ______
Name ______
Mailing Address
Street or P. O. Box
City State ZIP
Home Phone Work Phone (if applicable)
Email: ______
Are you currently employed in North Carolina?
___ Yes, as a classroom teacher
___ Yes, as a school library media specialist
___ Yes, in another school position (please state your position) ______
___ No, a student completing another degree (degrees must be completed by your acceptance into the MLS degree)
___ No (please state your employment status):
______
Have you applied for admission to the East Carolina University’s graduate degree program in library science? ___ yes ___ no
If yes, have you been accepted? ___ yes ___ no
Please choose the semester you would prefer to begin your MLS degree with this scholarship:
______Fall, 2014
______Spring, 2015
______Summer, 2015
Have you attended any other graduate degree program in library science?
____ yes ____ no; if yes, where did you attend? ______
How many library science credits have you earned there? ______
What must I do if I am awarded the NC-EDDS scholarship:
First: Complete the ECU Graduate School’s online application. See this link for the online application and requirements: https://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/gradschool/Admissions-Information.cfm
Second: Schedule a time to take either the GRE or the MAT exam. Here are links to information on scheduling these exams:
GRE: http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/register/centers_dates/
MAT: http://www.pearsonassessments.com/postsecondaryeducation/graduate_admissions/mat.html
Third: Your scholarship information will be sent to you once you have received the award. Contact Dr. John B. Harer, the coordinator of the NC-EDDS scholarship program, if you have any questions or need further assistance once you examine that information.
Fourth: The scholarship information to be sent to you will list a series of required actions to do prior to enrolling in your first course. Please read those and be prepared to complete them. You will be required to attend an on campus workshop prior to your first term that will cover many of these, plus provide information and training on the degree program and the technology you will use in your course of study.
What actions are required once I complete the degree?:
1. A service agreement must be signed that will set the conditions to be met after you have completed the degree. That agreement will:
a. Require you to look for a school library media position in a North Carolina school district, with preference for positions in rural schools in eastern North Carolina.
b. Require you to submit evidence of your job search while seeking a position
c. Require you to work in a school library media position for which you are hired for three years.
2. Submit an annual report of employment for three years once you have secured a position in a school library media position
Please provide a copy of your resume with this application
SECTION TWO: REQUIRED ESSAYS:
Please provide the information for each criteria below that you feel best meets the criteria for being awarded this scholarship.
Instructions: For your response to these criteria, you may include your response to them on one document attached to this application or type them into this form below:
We suggest a word limit of 500 words per essay:
Criteria 1: Please explain why you would like to pursue a career as a school library media specialist, including what qualities you believe you could bring to a school as a school library media specialist.
Criteria 2: Optional: Provide information regarding your financial need for scholarship assistance. Do not include any documentation. Your statement is sufficient for this essay
Criteria 3: Explain why you believe you should be a scholarship recipient. In this response, please review the explanation of this grant provided on the first page of this application to aid you in your response.
Criteria 4: Professional goals: Please explain what your goals for the near and long-term future are.
Library Science MLS Degree Program
East Carolina University
NC-EDDS Scholarship Application
East Carolina University’s NC-EDDS Applicant Reference Form
To the applicant: Please complete the information requested on the lines below and sign the form. Give this reference form or mail it (you will need to make copies for your three references) to your reference, enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope addressed to:
Dr. John B. Harer, NC-EDDS Project Coordinator
Department of Information and Library Science
Mailstop 172
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
TO (your reference name here): ______
Applicant’s signature: ______
(Print Applicant’s name): ______
To the individual providing this reference: The above applicant has applied for a scholarship from the East Carolina University’s Master of Library Science Degree program. This scholarship has been established to support the education of school library media specialists for the school districts of North Carolina, especially those districts in eastern North Carolina.
The stated purpose is to provide financial assistance to students who wish to pursue a career as a school library media specialist and who wish to be employed in rural and small school districts in the state of North Carolina. Preference will be given to persons from under-represented backgrounds. Major factors in awarding the scholarship are: a strong desire to become a school library media specialist, a willingness to serve in a rural or small school system, evidence of aptitude in school library media services, academic ability, leadership, and a commitment to the ideals of the profession.
Therefore, we request your knowledge and opinion of this applicant within this context and assure you that your letter will remain completely confidential. Please check the appropriate responses on the Applicant Reference Form, attached. Please feel free to submit any written comments you believe describe the applicant’s qualifications for this scholarship.
Dr. John B. Harer, Dr. Kaye Dotson,
NC-EDDS grant coordinator Co-NC-EDDS Coordinator
Mailstop 172 Mailstop 172
East Carolina University East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858 Greenville, NC 27858
East Carolina University’s NC-EDDS Applicant Reference Form
Applicant name: ______
Please score the applicant on the following criteria:
5- very good / 4 – good / 3-average / 2- below average / 1- unsatisfactory / No data to judgeScholarship/grades
Oral/written expression
Interpersonal skills
Sense of responsibility
Initiative
Judgment
Leadership
Commitment to library service
Commitment to students
Teaching skills
Collaboration
Problem solving
How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant? ______
If you had an opportunity to hire this applicant, would you:
1) Most definitely hire ___ 2) Hire under conditions ___ 3) Not hire ____
Name and Title of Reference: ______
Email address: ______
Signature: ______
Date: ______
Additional comments can be provided below (Submit separate sheet if needed):
East Carolina University’s NC-EDDS Applicant Reference Form
Applicant name: ______
Please score the applicant on the following criteria:
5- very good / 4 – good / 3-average / 2- below average / 1- unsatisfactory / No data to judgeScholarship/grades
Oral/written expression
Interpersonal skills
Sense of responsibility
Initiative
Judgment
Leadership
Commitment to library service
Commitment to students
Teaching skills
Collaboration
Problem solving
How long and in what connection have you known the applicant? ______
If you had an opportunity to hire this applicant, would you:
1) Most definitely hire ___ 2) Hire under conditions ___ 3) Not hire ____
Name and Title of Reference: ______
Signature: ______
Date: ______
Additional comments can be provided below (Submit separate sheet if needed):
East Carolina University’s NC-EDDS Applicant Reference Form
Applicant name: ______
Please score the applicant on the following criteria:
5- very good / 4 – good / 3-average / 2- below average / 1- unsatisfactory / No data to judgeScholarship/grades
Oral/written expression
Interpersonal skills
Sense of responsibility
Initiative
Judgment
Leadership
Commitment to library service
Commitment to students
Teaching skills
Collaboration
Problem solving
How long and in what connection have you known the applicant? ______
If you had an opportunity to hire this applicant, would you:
1) Most definitely hire ___ 2) Hire under conditions ___ 3) Not hire ____
Name and Title of Reference: ______
Signature: ______
Date: ______
Additional comments can be provided below (Submit separate sheet if needed):