If you need more help using this form, download the Help Guide for Applicants or check out Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Alternatively, contact the Library Sector Engagement Team at publiclibraries@slv.vic.gov.au
The Margery C Ramsay and Barrett Reid Scholarships are offered on alternate years to people with an aptitude for leadership and big-picture thinking. They offer a career-defining opportunity for emerging leaders to step beyond their current role and craft a professional development program that explores an innovative and exciting topic.
Each scholarship is valued at up to $20,000.
The scholarships are a way for the Library Board Victoria to realise the Libraries Act (1988) objectives:
All Victorian public library staff, regardless of qualification and band level, are eligible to apply.
Applicants must remain employed within a Victorian public library service for the duration of the scholarship.
Previously unsuccessful applicants are welcome to apply again or resubmit their applications.
Joint submissions by people from the same or different library services are welcome.
Past Ramsay or Reid Scholarship recipients may apply again after five years (from their scholarship contract date).
The scholarships can be used to fund a broad range of activities, including:
Scholarship funds can be used to cover associated travel costs, research support (consultancy fees, administrative support), publication costs (professional editing and printing) and staff replacement. They can also be paid directly to your employer to cover backfill costs during your scholarship, up to one-third of the total funds awarded.
Scholarship funds cannot be used to purchase computer equipment or mobile devices, nor to supplement your personal income (for example, to pay your salary, fee for services or personal living costs). Your employer is expected to continue to cover your salary during your scholarship.
There are three stages to the scholarship application process:
Applicants are encouraged to submit an idea, even if they are unsure of its potential as a scholarship program.
A panel of assessors (representatives from the Library Board of Victoria, State Library Victoria and Public Libraries Victoria) will review the idea and consider its potential as a scholarship program.
If your idea is long listed you will be invited to a pitch interview.
The ideas phase closes June 30 at midnight.
Applicants are given feedback on their idea and offered an interview with the assessment panel. This is an opportunity to sell the idea, and your suitability to undertake a scholarship program.
The panel will assess your skills, experience and aptitude for fully realising your idea and provide further feedback to shortlisted applicants.
If your idea is shortlisted you will be invited to submit a proposal.
Applicants are given time to develop their scholarship program, connect with potential partners, and prepare a project plan with an itemised budget.
Final submissions will be assessed on the following criteria:
The panel will also consider written statements from your library service manager and speak to provided referees.
If you wish to leave a partially completed application, press 'save and close' and log out.
When you log back in and click on the 'My Submissions' link at the top of the screen, you will find a list of any applications you have started or submitted.
You can reopen your draft application and start where you left off.
You can also download any application, whether draft or completed, as a PDF. Click on the 'Download PDF' button located at the bottom of the last page of the application form.
You will find a Review and Submit button at the bottom of the Navigation Panel. You need to review your application before you can submit it.
Once you have reviewed your application, you can submit it by clicking on 'Submit' at the top or bottom of the screen or on the navigation panel.
You will not be able to submit your application until all the compulsory questions are completed, and there are no validation errors.
Once you have submitted your application, no further editing or uploading of support materials is possible.
When you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your submitted application attached. This will be sent to the email you used to register.
If you do not receive a confirmation of submission email, presume that your submission has NOT been submitted. Check your spam or junk folder.
Many people can work on an application using the same login details but only one at a time. Ensure you save as you go.
