NSW Public Libraries Country

Colin Mills Scholarship Guidelines 2009

Each year the Public Libraries NSW-Country in association with the Public Libraries NSW-Metropolitan and the State Library of NSW will make funds available to support country public library staff who wishes to nominate for the Colin Mills Scholarship.
The Association's intention in offering the Scholarship is to fulfill a professional development need which is outside of normal staff development training.

• Conditions:
  • The Colin Mills Scholarship is available to practising professionals or paraprofessionals whose Council or Library is a member of the Public Libraries NSW-Country.
  • The intention of the Award is for the applicant to gain skills that benefit both the applicant and the management of their library service.
  • The Scholarship will be up to $8,000 maximum, which includes travel and registration to the awarding Public Libraries NSW-Country Conference.
  • It is expected that the scholarship will provide an opportunity for self development as well as benefit to the recipient's organisation and present position. Examples of professional development include:
    • Short study tour to examine a specific area of library service
    • Any travel to an overseas conference must include visits to relevant sites in the vicinity of the conference as part of the program structure
    • Staff exchange
    • Short management course relevant to libraries
  • Joint Applications will be considered.
  • Individual Public Libraries NSW-Country Zones may apply for Scholarship funds for a professional development programme.
  • Applicant/s are required to have a minimum of 2 years experience in library and information work, and occupy a supervisory, middle management, or similar position which involves the use of expertise from the field of library and information work.
  • Following initial assessment, applicants will be short-listed and may be interviewed for further assessment.
  • The recipient/s must provide a report, including financial statements, at the completion of the programme, with comments by his/her Library Manager or Director as appropriate.
  • Part of the conditions of acceptance is that a report/presentation be forwarded/made to the Public Libraries NSW-Country Executive4 weeks before the next Public Libraries NSW-Country Annual General Meeting, with a presentation to be made at the next Public Libraries NSW-Country Conference.
  • A report of the Programme is to include where applicable:
    • Executive summary
    • aims and purpose of the Programme;
    • methodology of the Programme;
    • institutions visited and personnel interviewed;
    • findings/outcomes of the Programme;
    • benefits to the individual, institution and broader professional base;
    • a separate report (maximum 1 page) from the relevant Library/General Manager/s,
  • and is to be presented in the agreed format.
  • This report should also be adaptable for publication in suitable professional journals and be able to be presented to Zone meetings or conferences.
  • The Award is not intended to be used to fund formal academic research projects or course fees.
  • The Award is intended to augment, not replace, existing Councils training budgets
  • The Library service or Council must be financial members of the Public Libraries NSW-Country, at the time of application.
  • Applicants should complete the Application Form, available from: -
    • Word version, PDF version
    • Public Libraries NSW - Country Secretary, ph. (02) 6625 1415
  • The Application form requires the following details:
    • a brief description of the Programme, including aims, benefits to the individual and to the employing institution, and possible outcomes of the Programme;
    • identification of and reasons for the choice of particular institutions, persons or activities;
    • project timeline
    • itinerary, timetable, travel/accommodation costs involved;
    • a curriculum vitae and
    • two work-related referees reports

For further information phone Zone Committee Representatives:

Central East Zone - Keryl Collard. Maitland City Library Service, ph 02 4934 9704
Central West Zone - John Bayliss, Macquarie Regional Library, Ph: 02 6801 4501
North East Zone – Kay Delahunt, Central Northern Regional Library Ph 02 6767 5222
South East Zone - Lyn Goucher , Monaro Regional Libraries, Ph(02) 6455 1730
South West Zone – Claire Campbell, Wagga Wagga City Library, Ph: 02 6926 9717

Martin Field
Secretary/Treasurer
PLNSW-Country
PO Box 4162
GOONELLABAH NSW 2480