Begun Scholarship

Continuing MLIS students at ALA-accredited (or seeking accreditation) programs who are committed to children's or young adult public librarianship in California may apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, permanent California residents, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, and complete all core coursework by the end of the current academic year. School librarian career plans are ineligible.

One $3,000 scholarship is awarded annually and recipients are honored at the CLA Awards Gala.

Submit an online application plus resume, biographical statement, coursework description, two scholarship-specific recommendation letters, and a statement of intent essay by 5:00 p.m. on the June deadline. The 2026 cycle deadline was June 16, 2026.

CLA's Begun Scholarship supports future youth services librarians serving California public libraries.