Do you think the Annual Meeting is out of your budget? It may be more affordable than you realize. The January 2008 issue of MLA News will have tips for attending the meeting on a budget. But you don’t have to wait until January, there are steps you can take now lessen your out-of-pocket expenses.

MLA and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) offer grants and awards that may be applied toward Annual Meeting and/or Continuing Education costs. Visit your NN/LM region’s website to locate funding opportunities specific to your region and for detailed information; please read carefully, as some awards may exclude meeting registration and travel. You need to act quickly, though, as some application deadlines are as early as December 1!

Here are some MLA award examples:

MLA
Continuing Education Awards (deadline December 1, 2007)
EBSCO/MLA Annual Meeting Grant (deadline December 1, 2007)
Hospital Libraries Section/MLA Professional Development Grants (deadline February 1, 2008)

- Deb Werner