Bernard Vavrek Scholarship

I. Intent of Scholarship

One of the slated purposes of the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services is “to contribute to the education and training of library staff working in the area of bookmobile and outreach services.” To help fulfill this goal, ABOS has created the Bernard Vavrek Scholarship.

It will be awarded annually to a student who is currently enrolled and has completed at least one semester in a Library and/or Information Science graduate degree program, and who is interested in this particular field within the library profession.

Dr. Bernard Vavrek, Professor of Library Science, Chair of the Library Science Department at Clarion University, recently retired after teaching at Clarion from 1971-2008. He co-founded with John Philip the “Great American Bookmobile Conference,” running it for many years until ABOS was formed and took over management of the conference.

This scholarship honors Dr. Vavrek’s profound commitment to library science and, in particular, bookmobile and outreach services.

II. Amount of the Award

The amount of $1,000 will be awarded annually to a qualified Library and/or Information Science student. A check will be sent directly to the ALA accredited library school where the applicant is currently enrolled to be applied to the next term of study.

III. Eligibility Requirements

The applicant must:

• currently be enrolled and have completed at least one semester in an ALA-accredited library and/or information science graduate degree program.
• maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better. 
• demonstrate an interest in outreach/bookmobile librarianship.

IV. Application Requirements/Checklist

• your name and contact information including mailing address, phone number, and email address.
• the name and contact information of the ALA-accredited library school which you are attending.
• a copy of your most recent transcript showing a grade point average of 3.0 or better (transcript can be unofficial).
• a personal narrative showcasing your interest in outreach/bookmobile librarianship.
• a narrative describing how you hope to contribute to the field of Bookmobile and Outreach Service once you graduate from your library school.
• two (2) letters of recommendation.

Winner receives $1,000 and FREE conference registration attend the 2021 ABOS Conference. 

One (1) Bernard Vavrek Scholarship will be presented in 2021.

To submit your 2021 Bernard Vavrek Scholarship nomination, please click HERE.

The 2021 ABOS Awards Program will open on April 1, 2021 and close on July 16, 2021 at 5 p.m. CST.

Questions about the 2021 ABOS Awards Program can be directed to David Kelsey, 2021 ABOS President and 2021 ABOS Awards Committee Chair, at awards@abos-outreach.com.