Conference Travel Grants Committee Annual Report 2023

submitted by Dan Ray

Current Roster

  • Dan Ray, chair (2024)
  • Terry Lewis, member (2025)
  • Elizabeth Uchimura, member (2026)

List of Previous Goals and Progress Made

  • 1. The Committee will include at least one committee member from an underrepresented group in the music librarianship field, and recruit accordingly moving forward (women, persons of color, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and veteran status).
    • Added a new member creating a committee reflecting the diversity we strive for as an organization
  • 2. The Committee will continue to award at least one of the Kevin Freeman Travel Grants to an individual from an underrepresented minority group.
    • All 2023 awards were granted to applicants self-identified as a member of an underrepresented group.
  • 3. Create an accessible handbook for the Committee’s space on the MLA website.
    • Work continues on the committee handbook. Updates to the MLA website were made to better align the wording on the Committee Page and Freeman Travel Grant Page. In addition, a link to the Travel Grants was added to the Conference web page.

List of Future Goals

  • 1. The Committee will continue to award at least one of the Kevin Freeman Travel Grants to an individual from an underrepresented minority group.  In addition, the committee will look for ways to increase outreach to potential applicants.
    • Objective 3.7: Offer targeted conference programming, pathways to involvement, and enhanced outreach efforts to members of underrepresented groups including people of color, public library employees, and support staff. Draw on MLA chapter expertise to encourage involvement in national participation.
  • 2. Create an accessible handbook for the Committee’s space on the MLA website.
    • Objective 4.3: Develop and/or formalize on-boarding for new members, new committee members, and committee chairs. Incorporate current DEIA efforts into this training.