Awards & Scholarships

Awards

Southwest Book Awards

The Border Regional Library Association is seeking nominations for the annual SOUTHWEST BOOK AWARDS competition. Any publisher having one or more items which meet the criteria is invited to submit one review copy of each for consideration. Nominations submitted by individuals are also welcome.

Since 1971 the Southwest Book Awards have been presented in recognition of outstanding books about the Southwest published each year in any genre (e.g. fiction, nonfiction, reference) and directed toward any audience (scholarly, popular, children). Original video and audio materials are also considered.​

• About the Southwest, defined as Far West Texas (geographically south of the New Mexico state border), New Mexico, Arizona, and the Mexican states of Sonora, Chihuahua, and Coahuila. Books about the Southwest with some content about other areas of the U.S.-Mexico border, such as Laredo, the lower Rio Grande Valley, and Baja California Norte, are also eligible.
• Appearing in book or non-print format for the first time.
• Published between August 1 of the previous year and July 31 of the current year.
• Of high quality, both in the context of the current year's entries and in the existing body of Southwestern literature.
• Books are sought which reflect and interpret the Southwest. A scholarly work must make a well documented contribution to scholarship in some aspect of Southwestern history or culture. Other nonfiction works should make reliable information accessible to the general reader. Poetry and fiction must reflect Southwestern culture and/or be set in the Southwest.

Review copies must be received by September 30 of this year. Nominations, which must include the official date of publication, should be sent to the address given below. Questions can be directed to either of the committee chairs, Lisa Weber, 915-747-5039, lweber@utep.edu or Susannah Holliday, 915-747-6839, slholliday@utep.edu. Awards will be announced this December and formally presented at our annual Awards Banquet early next year.

We deeply appreciate your support. The purpose of the Southwest Book Awards is to stimulate writing and promote publication of materials about the Southwest - an effort which we believe is mutually beneficial.

• BRLA Southwest Book Awards
• c/o Susannah Holliday
• UTEP Library
• 500 University
• University of Texas at El Paso
• El Paso, TX 79968-0582

book_ribbon Southwest Book Awards Past Winners

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Scholarships

BRLA Scholarships

The Border Regional Library Association will be awarding two scholarships:

• One to a student working towards a degree at either the master's or doctoral level in library science: $1,000 award.
• One to a student in the process of completing a librarian certification program: $500

Scholarships are awarded annually and will be announced at the BRLA Awards Banquet on February 22, 2025. The scholarships are open to individuals meeting the criteria, who are from the El Paso-Cd. Juárez-Las Cruces area. The applicant must be a member of BRLA and show evidence of both potential and commitment to a library career.

An application must be completed, and it consists of:

• The application form found
• A current resume
• A letter to the committee giving additional support for your application
• Two recommendation forms (see below) from professors, employers, librarians, or other professionals (excluding family) who are well acquainted with the applicant's educational background, intellectual abilities, and personal character
• Documentation proving admission to a library science program (i.e. acceptance letter; enrollment verification; current semester registration)

Applicants may submit other items that would support their candidacy. The application should be prepared as professionally as possible.

Documents can be emailed to the BRLA Scholarship Chair, Lorely Ambriz, at lambriz@epcc.edu or physically mailed to this address:

• Lorely Ambriz
• Head Librarian / Associate Professor
• Jenna Welch & Laura Bush Community Library
• El Paso Community College / Northwest Campus
• 6701 S. Desert Blvd.
• El Paso, TX 79932

Please email or call Lorely if you have any questions (915) 831-8886. All required documents should be submitted by midnight, Saturday, February 1st, 2025.

Scholarships

REFORMA El Paso Chapter Scholarships

Any current or newly entering graduate library school student [M.L.S. or Ph.D.] may apply for this scholarship. The applicant must provide proof of enrollment to an ALA-accredited library school. Full-time status is not a requirement.

The scholarship is open to students who are Spanish speakers or should demonstrate an understanding of and desire to serve the Spanish-speaking community.
Applicants must show evidence of commitment to a career in librarianship and the potential for high academic standing. Applicants already enrolled in graduate school must have grades of a B or better. The applicant must be a member of REFORMA $10 per year and show evidence of both potential and commitment to a library career.

Recipients will be notified prior to the awarding of the scholarships. Scholarships are awarded annually and will be announced at the BRLA Awards Banquet on February 22, 2025. The scholarships are open to individuals meeting the criteria, who are from the El Paso-Cd. Juárez-Las Cruces area.

An application must be completed, and it consists of:

• Completed application form
• A current resume
• Two recommendation letters from professors, employers, librarians, or other professionals (excluding family) who are well acquainted with the applicant's educational background, intellectual abilities, and personal character.
• An official transcript, either graduate or undergraduate or a document providing admission to a library science program (i.e., acceptance letter, enrollment verification, current semester registration, etc.).

Documents can be emailed to the REFORMA El Paso Chapter Scholarship Chair, Lorely Ambriz, at lambriz@epcc.edu or physically mailed to this address:

• Lorely Ambriz
• Head Librarian / Associate Professor
• Jenna Welch & Laura Bush Community Library
• El Paso Community College / Northwest Campus
• 6701 S. Desert Blvd.
• El Paso, TX 79932

Please email or call Lorely if you have any questions (915) 831-8886. All required documents should be submitted by midnight, Saturday, February 1st, 2025.

Awards

Librarian, Staff Member or Volunteer of the Year

Nominate Someone!

Do you work with an outstanding Librarian or Staff Member? Do you have a remarkable Volunteer? We would like to honor these incredible people for all of their hard work and dedication. Please provide us with a way to recognize them by nominating them for one of the following BRLA awards:

• Librarian of the Year
• Staff Member of the Year
• Volunteer of the Yearr.

Please fill out the Award nomination form or create an email with the same information and send to Kristin Sanchez: galesanchez127@gmail.com.

Deadline for nomination is February 1, 2025. The awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Banquet, February, 2025