Core is pleased to announce applications are open for the Career LIFT Award to support skill development and networking opportunities for information professionals. Sponsored by OCLC, it consists of up to $1,500 the recipient may use on professional development including, but not limited to, ALA and/or Core membership dues, attending the ALA Annual Conference, the Core Forum, or continuing education.
Grounded in Core's mission of cultivating and amplifying the collective expertise of library workers in core functions and its tagline, Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures, the Career LIFT award is designed to support information professionals whose passion, actions, and everyday work warrants recognition and celebration. The Award celebrates the often unseen but critical labor that goes into organizing, managing, and maintaining library collections and services.
The deadline to apply for the 2025 Career LIFT Award has been extended to Tuesday, March 24. You must be a member of Core to apply for the award.
The application process requires a brief essay about how the candidate is engaged in community building, advocacy, or learning; how they contribute to keeping things running day-to-day; and how funding would help them achieve their professional development goals. Award recipients will be honored at the 2026 ALA Annual Conference in June.
Recipients will be announced in April. Core is seeking funding to add more LIFT Awards to invest in our members' futures and help them realize their vision and passion to improve their communities.
We are grateful to the Core LIFT Awards Committee for facilitating this Award and thank OCLC for sponsoring it.
Apply today!
Thanks,
Robin Ewing, Chair Core LIFT Awards Committee
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Robin Ewing
Collections Strategist
St. Cloud State University
She/Her/Hers
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