Annual Meeting Grant
Supports the attendance of librarians and library staff at the Chapter’s Annual Meeting. One $500 award will be presented during the 2018 conference that will reimburse the recipient for conference registration and other costs.
First-Time Attendee Annual Meeting Grant
Supports the attendance of librarians and library staff at the Chapter’s Annual Meeting. One $500 award will be presented during the 2018 conference that will reimburse the recipient for conference registration and other costs.
Student Annual Meeting Grant
Supports the attendance of a library science student at the Chapter’s Annual Meeting. Two $500 award will be presented during the 2018 conference that will reimburse the recipient for conference registration and other costs.
Distinguished Librarian of the Year Award
Recognizes Chapter members at any career level who have provided outstanding service to Midwest Chapter/MLA. The winner receives a $500 award and plaque of recognition.
Jean Williams Sayre Innovation Award
Recognizes individuals, groups, libraries, or organizations for their creative approaches to the delivery and management of health information. The winner receives a $500 award and plaque of recognition.
Research Awards & Judging Standards
The Chapter will present a certificate of recognition to the primary author of the best research paper and the best research poster presentations. Awards are granted at the discretion of the Professional Practice Committee; all awards may or may not be presented at any given Annual Meeting
The Committee Chair coordinates the judging of research papers and posters. A minimum of two Committee members will be assigned to grade each research paper and poster using a standardized rubric. (The Committee encourages presenters to use this rubric in preparation for their research presentation.) Disagreement will be resolved through discussion among the Committee or other Chapter members upon request of the Committee Chair.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for consideration for a Research Award, the papers and posters must meet the following criteria:
- Answered ?Yes? to the question regarding research paper/poster award when submitting abstracts for Midwest Chapter/MLA Annual Meeting
- Abstracts accepted for presentation at Midwest Chapter/MLA Annual Meeting
- One author must be a Midwest Chapter member
- One author must be present at the presentation
Judging
The Professional Practice Committee coordinates the judging. A minimum of two judges will score each research paper and poster. Judges are assigned paper sessions and specific posters for judging. Members of the Professional Practice Committee will be assigned to judge, and the Professional Practice Committee Chair may request assistance from other Midwest Chapter members to help with evaluating the research papers and posters presented.
The quality of the research as presented at the meeting will be evaluated and scored using standardized poster and paper evaluation forms. Points are awarded for study design, validity, reliability, presentation, and implications of the research. These forms are available for presenters as an aid in preparing quality papers and posters on the Midwest Chapter website – www.midwestmla.org.