Past

Tips for Writing a Successful CLA Scholarship Application

With the 2026 CLA awards and scholarship call for applications opening soon, on Thursday, April 2nd @7pm, the CLA Student Interest Group will be hosting Tips for Writing a Successful CLA Scholarship Application.

This webinar will feature Jennifer Perez Lara and Mirna Saucedo Gutierrez, two SJSU MLIS students who have been awarded multiple CLA scholarships. (Perez Lara has received both the BIPOC Student Scholarship in Memory of Edna Yelland and the Karatsu Conference Scholarship while Saucedo Gutierrez has received both the Yelland and Begun Scholarships.) They will talk about tips and the process they used when writing successful scholarship applications. (And for all who attend this program live, they will share their winning applications so attendees can see what success looks like.)

In addition, Shawn Thrasher, past Chair of the Karatsu Scholarship Committee and Sofia Araya, Chair of the Yelland Scholarship Committee, will talk about what they are looking for from a reviewer’s perspective. Robert Karatsu will also share insights he has gained over the years from reading (literally) hundreds of applications, and what makes a good letter of reference (which some of these scholarships require.)

At the end, there will be time to ask questions to all of the presenters.

If you are thinking about applying for one of the 2026 CLA scholarships, you probably want to check this out before submitting your application.

This program is sponsored by the Karatsu Conference Scholarship Fund. 

The Ups and Downs of Early Career Librarianship

Are you a student, paraprofessional, or early-career librarian wondering what comes after library school? This session was for you! 

Participants joined us on Thursday, February 26, from 7–8 PM (PST) on Zoom for a panel of early-career librarians and true freeway fliers working in public and academic libraries as we shared candid stories about job hunting, professional growth, and finding our footing in the field. This highly interactive session included time for Q&A, discussion, and connection. Attendees walked away with practical job-seeking tips, a clearer picture of life after grad school, and the reminder that they were not in this alone.

The session was recorded and sent to those on the RSVP list.  We were joined by Valerie Tohom (Alhambra Public Library/Los Angeles Public Library), Nick Catt (Los Angeles Public Library, Mt. San Antonio College, Pasadena City College, Valley College), Annie Jaffe (Los Angeles Public Library, CLA Student Interest Group Chair), and Ramara Rubin (CLA Student Representative).

Link to the recording: https://zoom.us/rec/share/Nmw5X5HA0RcBNzVXkGYP4XfYpNMj3gSXd_4NwZGb8mMGUNS3R9UcB8QGdjbvgwmo.khLszXEv6a6wUajZ

Passcode: iKK9jx+*