Honors & Awards

The work and dedication of our members is highlighted through their service and commitment to SC/MLA. These awards and scholarships serve as a testament of their achievements. We have highlighted criteria for each award and scholarship that are currently bestowed within the Southern Chapter.

Please be on the lookout for the announcement of our 2021 award winners.

List of Awards

Academic Librarian of the Year Award

• Mid-career librarian – 5-15 years’ experience; cannot be a library director
• MLA membership required
• Provide CV/résumé and detail list of accomplishments
• Worked in an academic health science library for the preceding 5 years
• Outstanding regional, national, or international contributions demonstrated in leadership, publication, research, service, or a combination of these

Honorary Membership Award

• Current member; recently retired
• Made significant and consistent contributions to SC/MLA or the profession
• MLA Fellows may also be considered

Hospital Librarian of the Year Award

• Must be hospital librarians at the time of the award
• 5 years or more as a hospital librarian; at least 3 years of experience immediately preceding the award.
• Made notable contributions to hospital librarianship
• Submit application form to Christine Willis (christine.willis@choa.org) and Mary Katherine Haver (MaryKatherine.Haver@moffitt.org)
• Applications are due September 17th

Library and Information Science (LIS) Student Award

• Currently enrolled in an ALA-accredited library school in the region
• Requires a letter of recommendation on institutional letterhead from an LIS instructor or Health Sciences Librarian
• Submit a brief paragraph essay answering prompt
• Provide a brief report of the Annual Meeting to the SC/MLA’s newsletter, Southern Expressions following the meeting.

T. Mark Hodges Award

• Member of SC/MLA for at least 10 years.
• Well-known within the chapter by serving in various capacities and actively participating in meetings.
• Requires a curriculum vitae, list of qualifications, and two supporting letters from chapter members.

List of Scholarships

First-time Attendee Scholarship

• Member of SCMLA, and not a student, attending their first SC/MLA meeting.
• Must attend a CE course and all SC/MLA sessions.
• Must submit a letter of need from an administrator.
• Must answer: “What do you hope to gain professionally and/or personally by attending the SC/MLA Annual Meeting?”

Jocelyn Rankin Memorial Scholarship

• Must be current, non-student Southern Chapter members who want to attend a research-related continuing education course or workshop.
• The award, not to exceed $500.00, can be used to defray expenses necessary for the fulfillment of the course (tuition, travel, etc.).
• Preference will be given to courses sponsored by Southern Chapter or MLA, however the jury will consider courses sponsored by other organizations.
• All awardees must pay for their expenses up front and then submit a request for reimbursement after the meeting.
• Upon completion of the course, the recipient must submit a written report to the Chair of the Honors and Awards Committee for submission to Southern Expressions.

Martha C. Watkins Memorial Scholarship

• Applicants must be current Southern Chapter members, who work in a hospital library and who want to take a course or workshop at the Southern Chapter annual meeting.
• The amount awarded will not exceed $500.00, and can be used to defray any expenses necessary for the fulfillment of the course (tuition, travel, etc.).
• All awardees must pay for their expenses up front and then submit a request for reimbursement after the meeting.