Applications are now being accepted for a travel grant, funded principally through the generosity of the national Music Library Association (MLA), which has awarded the Atlantic Chapter funds for this purpose, to be matched by an equal sum from the Chapter.

The grant supports travel, meeting registration, hotel and subsistence expenses to attend the Chapter's annual meetings or the National MLA Meeting.

Please note that music library paraprofessionals/support professionals and library school students are among those eligible for this opportunity and are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must reside in one of the states or territories comprising ATMLA (Southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, and West Virginia), and also be in at least one of the following eligible categories:

1. A graduate library school student aspiring to become a music librarian;
2. A recent graduate (within one year of degree) of a graduate program in librarianship who is seeking a professional position as a music librarian;
3. A music librarian (holding a Master of Library Science degree or qualifications granting an equivalent status at her/his employing institution, e.g. a certified archivist with other graduate degree working extensively with music materials) in the first two years of her/his professional career, or;
4. A library paraprofessional/support professional working with music materials as a significant portion of his/her job responsibilities
5. Those who have never received an ATMLA Travel Grant will be favored.

Applicants must submit the following to arrive by September 25, 2003 for the chapter meeting, and by December 1, 2003 for the National meeting:

1. A letter of application that includes an explanation of the reasons for attending the ATMLA annual meeting, a justification of financial need, and a budget. For those applicants currently working in libraries or archives, justification of financial need must include evidence that one has sought financial support from one's employing institution to attend the meeting and that such request was either denied or insufficiently met;
2. A current résumé or vita;
3. Two letters of support. Where applicable, one of the letters should be from a current supervisor.

Mail application and supporting materials to arrive by the above deadlines to:

Carl Rahkonen, Chair ATMLA
Indiana University of PA
Music Library
G-3 Stapleton Library
Indiana, PA 15705

If you have questions regarding the grant or the application process, please contact Carl via e-mail at Rahkonen@iup.edu, or by phone at 724-357-5644.

Recipients will be notified by October 1, 2003, and announced on ATMLA-L, the chapter's electronic discussion list immediately thereafter. Recipients who are not already members of ATMLA are expected to join before receiving their award. Annual student membership in ATMLA is currently only $7.00; a regular membership is $12.00.

The ATMLA may elect to pay directly for travel and hotel expenses on the recipient's behalf and only supply the balance (if any) of an award following the meeting. If mileage for a personal vehicle is awarded, it will be paid at the current IRS rate of $0.345 per mile, also after the meeting. Hotel accommodations will be funded at the double-occupancy rate.

The ATMLA is grateful for the support of this year's endeavor by MLA. It is our hope that this support of chapter members who are beginning their careers or whose abilities to travel to meetings are compromised by lack of institutional funding or other circumstances will assist MLA in meeting the ongoing recruitment and continuing education objectives outlined in MLA's Plan 2001.

Send comments or suggestions to:  Brian Cockburn