Purpose

The Karen Sternheim Memorial Scholarship was established to provide assistance to a student enrolled in a graduate master’s degree program in library and information studies who intends to pursue a career in special librarianship. The scholarship is awarded annually by the Southern California Chapter of the Special Libraries Association.

Eligibility Guidelines

An applicant must be a permanent resident of California or Nevada (defined as one whose voter’s registration is in California or Nevada and who has a California or Nevada’s driver’s license or the equivalent). An applicant must be enrolled in an ALA accredited masters degree program in library and information studies or provide proof of acceptance to such a program. However, there is no geographic restriction on the school in which the applicant is enrolled. An applicant must demonstrate interest in a career in special libraries.

Procedures

All pieces of the application packet must be received by March 16, 2007. It is expected that all pieces of the application packet are submitted to Emi Yoshida Bevacqua, Chair, SLA Southern California Chapter Scholarship Committee.

All paperwork and deliberations by the Scholarship Committee shall be confidential. Application materials will be accepted by mail, email, or fax. The Scholarship Committee will not consider an incomplete application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all application materials, including letters of recommendation, are received by the due date. Applicants who have questions about what documents have been received by the committee may contact the committee chair.

All pieces of the application packet must be received by March 16, 2007. It is expected that all pieces of the application packet are submitted to Emi Yoshida Bevacqua, Chair, SLA Southern California Chapter Scholarship Committee.

Criteria for Evaluation

The Scholarship Committee will evaluate applicants based on their scholastic records, their written statements and the statements in their references. Although transcripts from undergraduate institutions are not required, applicants are asked to indicate their undergraduate GPA on the application form. In addition, the written comments from references, as pertaining to applicants’ scholastic abilities will be taken into account. The coherency of the applicant’s written statements, including style and grammar, will also be considered in the evaluation process.

Committee

The Scholarship Committee is made up of Emi Yoshida Bevacqua, Rita Costello and Peter Johnson

Past Scholarship Recipients

• 2006: Katherine Shilton, UCLA
• 2005: Peggy Shin, UCLA
• 2004: John Juricek, UCLA
• 2003: Christy Thomas, UCLA
• 2002: Natalie Joy Kamper, UCLA
• 2001 Aura Lippincott, UCLA
• 2000 Natasha Bergson-Michelson, San Jose State University
• 2000 Laurie C. Blasingame, San Jose State University
• 1999 Heather Lynne Hepler, University of North Texas
• 1998 Cathy Spitzer, University of Texas
• 1997 Kim Laru, San Jose State University
• 1996 Sharlene Matsuhara, Simmons College