Leadership and Management Section Scholarships

The Leadership & Management Section (LAMS) of the New York Library Association is
seeking candidates in any leadership capacity to apply for one of two scholarships to go towards the costs of attending the 2025 Annual Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY.

One award will be to a new Director, appointed in the past three years, who will be attending the conference for the first time as Director. The other award will be given to Library Administrators or Support Staff members who have never attended an Annual Conference.

The awards, which are $1,200 each, will be sent to the selected candidates in the form of reimbursement following the submission of receipts at the conclusion of the conference. The stipends can be used towards conference costs (i.e. registration fees, hotel costs, travel expenses) at the winner’s discretion, however, copies of receipts must be submitted to NYLA to receive compensation.

The 2025 NYLA Conference will be held at the Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Springs from November 5-8, 2025. More conference information can be found on the NYLA website under Events/Annual Conference.

All scholarship applicants must submit a letter from a professional reference and an application in the form of a letter which includes:

  • Why you wish to attend the conference
  • How the experience will benefit your work
  • How you will share what you learn with colleagues and co-workers
  • Your professional goals
  • How attending the conference will help you achieve those goals.

To apply for these scholarships, submit the application and letter of reference via email to Kristine Casper at [email protected] by July 31, 2025. All applications will be reviewed by the LAMS’ Scholarship Committee. The winners of the scholarships will be selected by August 15, 2025. Scholarship winners must be LAMS members at the time of the award. 

Previous Award Recipients

2023 NYLA-LAMS Conference Scholarship Winners

  • Grace Frenzel, Avon Free Public Library - New Director 
  • Sophia Skeans, Queens Public Library - Support Staff
  • Chelsie Russo, Wead Library Malone - Administrative Staff