Thank you for your interest in the Mejor Futuro/Better Future Scholarship funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This grant is being administered by the San Antonio Public Library Foundation and the San Antonio Public Library.
The purpose of the grant is to afford those individuals interested in pursuing a master's in library and information science or an equivalent degree the opportunity to do so in a college or university program approved by the American Library Association (ALA). In exchange for the scholarship those selected agree to work in a public library system for two (2) years.
If selected as a scholarship recipient, the scholar's skills will be further enhanced through participation in workshops and seminars designed to build leadership qualities and to develop an administrative perspective. These enhancements should afford these individuals the credentials not only for entry level positions but also promotional positions within a public library system.
To be considered for a scholarship the person must:
- Have applied and/or been accepted and/or be enrolled in an ALA approved MLIS program or an equivalent degree;
- Complete and submit an application for the scholarship to include a 300-500 essay titled "Why it is important to me personally and professionally to obtain an MLIS degree"; and
- Be interviewed.
If selected as a scholar/intern the person agrees to:
- Serve as a public librarian for two (2) years upon completion of the master's;
- Attend a TLA conference and either an ALA or PLA conference (conference expenses paid);
- Participate in a minimum of twenty (20) hours of formal leadership training during the grant period; and
- Engage in a minimum of four (4) hours of individual executive coaching with your mentor.
To maintain the scholarship the scholar/intern agrees to:
- Earn a letter grade of "B" or better in the course work;
- Submit (in a timely manner) the appropriate documentation of participation in grant specified activities;
- Submit appropriate documentation for reimbursement of tuition and related books and fees. (Rate of reimbursement is based upon costs at a Texas institution of higher education.)
As a condition of receiving the scholarship the scholar/intern agrees to comply with data collection requirements established by the SAPLS, the ULC and the IMLS as might be requested.
Please, click HERE to download the application form.
Mail the application form to:
- The San Antonio Public Library Foundation
- 315 East Commerce, Suite 201
- San Antonio, Texas 78205
- Phone: 210-225-4728
- Fax: 210-444-1950
Adobe Acrobat is required to download the application. 
