Library Foundation Scholarship Program
The Fairfax Library Foundation established a Scholarship Program to award three different scholarships to enhance the skills and talents of current or future library staff and volunteers in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax, subsequently enhancing the level of service the library can provide.
Continuing Education
The Foundation grants awards to library staff and volunteers to continue their education (through classes, conferences, and other professional development opportunities) to enhance their capabilities and deliver a higher quality of service to library customers.
Undergraduate
The Foundation’s Scholarship Program was established to enhance the capability of the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) staff and volunteers to deliver high quality service to the citizens of Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax by assisting in their development. One (1) or more undergraduate scholarships are awarded each year to highly qualified individuals. The Scholarship Committee will consider awarding scholarships dependent on the availability of highly qualified candidates and funds. The award is for up to $1,500, and it is a merit-based scholarship. The undergraduate scholarship is available to:
Current employees and volunteers of the FCPL System.- Residents of Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax who complete an application to perform volunteer hours in the FCPL System; upon receipt of a scholarship, up to a maximum of sixty (60) hours during a 12-month period may be required
Graduate
The Foundation including the Edwin S. Clay, III Scholarship, grants awards to assist a student in attaining a M.L.S. degree, intending to become a librarian for FCPL, to meet current and future needs for librarians.
The degree scholarships have—to date—awarded $95,000 in scholarships to 39 current and future FCPL librarians, while the Continuing Education scholarships have awarded staff members and volunteers over $33,000 to enhance themselves and the level of service they are able to provide the library in nearly 90 awards.
“The Foundation Scholarship Program helps the continuation of the library by preparing the branches and branch staff for the future while directing young learners toward the rewarding library profession in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. The fact that the Foundation also awards Continuing Education scholarships to those already within our library system gives library staff and volunteers a chance for advancement both in the system and in the profession.”
– Edwin S. Clay III
Fairfax County Public Library Director