MLA News

The Music Library Association, in memory of its Past President and Honorary Member Walter Gerboth, established the Gerboth Award. It is made to members of MLA who are in the first five years of their professional library careers, to assist research-in-progress in music or music librarianship. Eligible members are invited to apply by July 15, 2013 for next year's award. Please send the following information via email, to the Chair of the Committee,  Deborah Pierce  (dpierce@u.washington.edu)

A description of the project and a statement about its significance.

• A detailed total budget, specifying the amount of funding requested from MLA (to a maximum of $1,000) and its purpose (capital purchases are not eligible). Indicate any other sources of funding you may have already secured.
• Two letters of recommendation—one for the project and one for yourself.
• A curriculum vitae that also names additional references.

Applications should be submitted by e-mail attachment and must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. The recipient will be notified by November 1, 2013. If you have any questions about the award, particularly about whether you are qualified to apply for it, please contact the Chair.

The Dena Epstein Award for Archival and Library Research in American Music was created in 1995 through a generous gift from Morton and Dena Epstein to the Music Library Association. Applications are currently being accepted for one or more grants to be awarded for the year 2014. The total amount to be awarded this year is $4100. The decision of the Dena Epstein Award Committee and the Board of Directors of the Music Library Association will be announced at the MLA annual meeting in Atlanta, GA, which will be held February 26–March 2, 2014.

A grant may be awarded to support research in archives or libraries (both nationally and internationally) on any aspect of American music. For purposes of this award, "American music" is defined as music directly relating to or that has some direct connection with the United States of America.  Past recipients and their topics may be viewed on the Dena Epstein Award Web site http://www.musiclibraryassoc.org/awards.aspx?id=82. 

There are no restrictions as to applicant's age, nationality, profession, or institutional affiliation. All proposals will be reviewed entirely based on merit. Awards may be presented to an individual applicant or divided among multiple applicants. At its discretion, the committee may choose not to award a grant during any particular year. Unsuccessful first-time applicants may resubmit a proposal for the same project up to two years after their initial submission. An applicant may receive only one award for any one project.

Applicants must submit the following documents:
1. A brief research proposal (under 5 pages) that includes:
            a. a description of the project
            b. a detailed budget for the project, indicating:
                    1. the amount of funding requested (capital purchases such as computer equipment and furniture are ineligible)
                    2. justification for the funding
                    3. additional sources of funding
            c. a demonstration of how the applicant's research will contribute to the study and understanding of American music
2. A curriculum vitae of the applicant.
3. Two letters of support from librarians and/or scholars knowledgeable about American music.

Applications should be submitted by e-mail attachment and must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Please send required documentation to Robin Rausch, chair of the Dena Epstein Award Committee, at rrau@loc.gov.  Other members of this year’s committee are Drew Beisswenger and Joan O’Connor.

The deadline for receipt of proposals and letters of support is July 1, 2013.

MLA is pleased to announce new benefits for MLA members. Beginning today, Ashgate Publishing, a new MLA partner, is offering a 20% discount on purchases to current MLA members, using an assigned code. In addition, current individual members of MLA may access recent issues of Notes online thanks to an arrangement with Project Muse. Members may access the Ashgate discount code and Notes online by logging in to the Online Directory.

Applications are now being accepted for the Kevin Freeman Travel Grant.

The grant, established in 1994 to honor the memory of Kevin Freeman and awarded for the first time in 1997, supports attendance of music librarians new to the field to the Music Library Association's annual meeting. Recipients receive gratis conference registration and a cash award of up to $750 for travel costs (transportation and accommodations at the convention hotel at half of the double occupancy rate*). At least one grant will be awarded to a first-time attendee, if applicable.

Applicants must be members of the Music Library Association and in one of the following groups:

• in the first three years of their professional career,
• a graduate student in library school (by the time of the conference, 27 February – 3 March 2013) aspiring to become a music librarian, OR
• a recent graduate (within one year of degree) of a graduate program in librarianship seeking a professional position as a music librarian

Previous applicants who still qualify are welcome to reapply.

Applicants must submit the following in .pdf by October 1, 2012:

A letter of application which includes:

• The reasons for attending the MLA Annual Conference and why you are a good candidate for this grant
• A justification of financial need
• A budget for travel costs to attend the MLA Annual Conference
• Information about any other grants, matching funds, institutional support you may also receive to cover costs to attend the MLA Annual Conference
• The number of times you have attended the national MLA meeting
• A current vita
• Two letters of support directly mailed by recommenders (.pdf or email)

Please email application and supporting materials (.pdf) to the Chair of the Freeman Travel Grant Committee:

Sarah Adams <sjadams@fas.harvard.edu>

Please mark the subject line: Freeman Travel Grant Application.

Grant recipients will be notified by November 5, 2012 and announced at the MLA 2013 Annual Meeting in San Jose, California.

For questions about the award, please contact the Chair of the Freeman Travel Grant Committee at the above email address.

*Room rates are estimated to be $159 for double occupancy, plus taxes (10% city; 4% convention district; $3/night business district assessment)

The Dena Epstein Award for Archival and Library Research in American Music was created in 1995 through a generous gift from Morton and Dena Epstein to the Music Library Association. Requests are currently being accepted for one or more grants to be awarded for the year 2013. The total amount to be awarded this year is $1,000. The decision of the Dena Epstein Award Committee and the Board of Directors of the Music Library Association will be announced at the MLA annual meeting in San Jose, CA, which will be held February 27-March 3, 2013.

A grant may be awarded to support research in archives or libraries (both nationally and internationally) on any aspect of American music. For purposes of this award, "American music" is defined as music directly relating to or that has some direct connection with the United States of America. There are no restrictions as to applicant's age, nationality, profession, or institutional affiliation. All proposals will be reviewed entirely based on merit. Awards may be presented to an individual applicant or divided among multiple applicants. At its discretion, the committee may choose not to award a grant during any particular year. Unsuccessful first-time applicants may resubmit a proposal for the same project up to two years after their initial submission. An applicant may receive only one award for any one project.

Applicants must submit the following documents:
1. A brief research proposal (under 5 pages) that includes:
            a. a description of the project
            b. a detailed budget for the project, indicating:
                    1. the amount of funding requested (capital purchases such as computer equipment and furniture are ineligible)
                    2. justification for the funding
                    3. additional sources of funding
            c. a demonstration of how the applicant's research will contribute to the study and understanding of American music
2. A curriculum vitae of the applicant.
3. Two letters of support from librarians and/or scholars knowledgeable about American music.

Applications should be submitted by e-mail attachment and must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Please send required documentation to Sarah Dorsey, chair of the Dena Epstein Award Committee, at sbdorsey@uncg.edu. Other members of this year’s committee are Robin Rausch and Drew Beisswenger.
The deadline for receipt of proposals and letters of support is July 1, 2012.