The Chemistry Division of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) is sponsoring a student/new member travel award to defray the costs of attending the 2013 SLA Annual Conference June 9-11 in San Diego, CA. The award is intended to encourage the professional development of student members and new members of the Chemistry Division and encourage their participation in Chemistry Division activities.

TRAVEL AWARD:
$1,500 stipend to attend the 2013 SLA Annual Conference. The winner also receives an award certificate at the Annual Conference during the Chemistry Division Business Meeting & Breakfast.
ELIGIBILITY:
All student members of the Chemistry Division and all new members of the Chemistry Division (individuals who have joined since January 2012) are eligible. All applicants must have joined the Chemistry Division by March 1, 2013. See below for information on joining SLA and the Chemistry Division.
Individuals who accept a travel award or stipend for the annual conference from any other SLA entity are not eligible for the Marion E. Sparks Award for Professional Development. Travel funds provided by your employer, your school (for students), or any other non-SLA affiliated group do not affect your eligibility.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Please submit the following:
• A brief essay that: a) articulates your objectives for professional development; and b) indicates what you hope to gain from attending the SLA Annual Conference. Maximum length: 2 pages.
• Resume
• Names of two references
• Brief budget (expected expenses for registration, airfare, lodging, food and/or continuing education course).
Registration in a Chemistry Division or other Continuing Education (CE) course is recommended, but not required.
DEADLINE:
All applications must be received by March 1, 2013. The winner will be notified by March 18, 2013. Essays will be judged by a panel of SLA Chemistry Division members.
SUBMIT APPLICATION VIA EMAIL TO:
Claire Stokes ( cstokes@mmm.com )

Want to join the Chemistry Division of SLA?
Not a member of SLA? Use this link to join SLA: http://www.sla.org/content/membership/joinsla/index.cfm
When you join SLA, you can also join one division for free, additional divisions are $20/year.

Already an SLA member? To join the Chemistry Division either: 1) Download the SLA Change/Add Units form: http://www.sla.org/content/membership/unitchange.cfm and fax or mail it to SLA. Or 2) Call 1-703-647-4936 and pay with a credit card.

HISTORY:
The award is named to honor Marion E. Sparks, a chemistry librarian at theUniversity ofIllinois from 1913 until her death in 1929. Ms. Sparks contributed a great deal to the field of chemical information, her achievements include teaching courses on chemical information, and authoring and publishing what is argued to be the first book to formally address chemical literature and library instruction.

The Chemistry Division Web Site http://chemistry.sla.org/about/awards/sparks-award/ includes a list of previous winners.