MLA News

The Dena Epstein Award for Archival and Library Research in American Music was created in 1995 through a generous gift from Morton and Dena Epstein to the Music Library Association. Requests are currently being accepted for one or more grants to be awarded for the year 2013. The total amount to be awarded this year is $1,000. The decision of the Dena Epstein Award Committee and the Board of Directors of the Music Library Association will be announced at the MLA annual meeting in San Jose, CA, which will be held February 27-March 3, 2013.

A grant may be awarded to support research in archives or libraries (both nationally and internationally) on any aspect of American music. For purposes of this award, "American music" is defined as music directly relating to or that has some direct connection with the United States of America. There are no restrictions as to applicant's age, nationality, profession, or institutional affiliation. All proposals will be reviewed entirely based on merit. Awards may be presented to an individual applicant or divided among multiple applicants. At its discretion, the committee may choose not to award a grant during any particular year. Unsuccessful first-time applicants may resubmit a proposal for the same project up to two years after their initial submission. An applicant may receive only one award for any one project.

Applicants must submit the following documents:
1. A brief research proposal (under 5 pages) that includes:
            a. a description of the project
            b. a detailed budget for the project, indicating:
                    1. the amount of funding requested (capital purchases such as computer equipment and furniture are ineligible)
                    2. justification for the funding
                    3. additional sources of funding
            c. a demonstration of how the applicant's research will contribute to the study and understanding of American music
2. A curriculum vitae of the applicant.
3. Two letters of support from librarians and/or scholars knowledgeable about American music.

Applications should be submitted by e-mail attachment and must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Please send required documentation to Sarah Dorsey, chair of the Dena Epstein Award Committee, at sbdorsey@uncg.edu. Other members of this year’s committee are Robin Rausch and Drew Beisswenger.
The deadline for receipt of proposals and letters of support is July 1, 2012.

The Music Library Association, in memory of its Past President and Honorary Member Walter Gerboth, established the Gerboth Award. It is made to members of MLA who are in the first five years of their professional library careers, to assist research-in-progress in music or music librarianship. Eligible members are invited to apply by July 13, 2012 for next year's award. Please send the following information via email, to the Chair of the Committee, Erin Conor (econor@reed.edu).

• A description of the project and a statement about its significance.
• A detailed total budget, specifying the amount of funding requested from MLA (to a maximum of $1,000) and its purpose (capital purchases are not eligible). Indicate any other sources of funding you may have already secured.
• Two letters of recommendation—one for the project and one for yourself.
• A curriculum vitae that also names additional references.

Applications should be submitted by e-mail attachment and must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. The recipient will be notified by November 1, 2012. If you have any questions about the award, particularly about whether you are qualified to apply for it, please contact the Chair.