Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Super Conference Bursary

 Each year, the OLA Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Committee offers a Super Conference bursary. The bursaries are available to support recipients in their career in information/librarianship and are intended to provide access to the OLA Super Conference to applicants identifying as Indigenous, Black, or a Person of Colour, who may otherwise not have the opportunity to participate.

This year, there are two (2) bursaries available that will be awarded. The recipients will each receive one (1) Full Super Conference 2026 registration, and one (1) recipient will receive up to $1000 for travel expenses. This bursary does not cover accommodation or meals at the conference. Ontario-based applicants will be prioritized.

The application deadline is November 28, 2025, at 11:59PM EST.

Applications will be reviewed by members of the Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The successful applicants will be contacted by email by December 5, 2025.

Spirit of Reconciliation Award

The Spirit of Reconciliation Award sponsors up to three (3) First Nations public librarians to attend Super Conference, covering travel and accommodations. Sponsored by the OLA Indigenous Advisory Council and OLA Mentoring Committee, the Spirit of Reconciliation Award is about forming reciprocal relationships between First Nations public librarians and municipal public librarians. The goal of this initiative is to dissolve barriers, further the network and connections of librarians, dismantle the silos and close the gap that time has established.

At the OLA Super Conference, the award recipients are partnered with seasoned OLA Super Conference attendees (Spirit of Reconciliation Partners), who will ensure you get the most out of Super Conference by introducing you to a network of people. In return, the First Nations public librarian will help the Spirit of Reconciliation Partner develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous matters as they relate their Nation and professional experience. It is our hope that you will build a relationship that extends beyond the Super Conference. An extension of this relationship could look like quarterly Zoom calls, mutual library visits or tours or even joint book clubs.

 Application Deadline: December 1st, 2025

Submit Application

The International Indigenous Librarian Forum (IILF) Fund

The purpose of the International Indigenous Library Forum Fund (IILFF) is for Indigenous library professionals to support other Indigenous library professionals in attending premiere library events and training. The fund is a declining balance fund and will sunset when the funds have been fully utilized. Recipients will receive a cash bursary up to a maximum of $5,000.00 CAD.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2025

Read more about eligibility and submit application

 

OHLIA Super Conference Bursary

For health library and information workers, professional development funds are often limited or nonexistent. The OHLIA Super Conference  bursary supports OHLIA members by covering the cost of registration for the OLA Super Conference, which may otherwise not be accessible to them.

Ontario-based applicants will be prioritized. The application deadline is December 15 at 11:59 PM EST. Members of the OHLIA council will review applications. The successful applicants will be contacted by email by January 6th.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2025

Read more about eligibility and Submit Application

 

OLA/OSLA Ken Haycock Super Conference Grant

Dr. Ken Haycock established the Chancellor Group Conference Grant to honour the founders of the Association for Teacher-Librarianship in Canada. It was subsequently transferred to the Canadian Library Association (CLA). A travel grant of $500 was to provide support to newly qualified teacher-librarians (the “TL”) to attend the annual conference of the CLA. The funds were transferred to OLA in 2016 after CLA’s dissolution. OLA is now proud to provide the grant to support new TL’s to attend the OLA Super Conference.

To apply: Complete the online application form and include a brief biography/resume of the nominee outlining their achievements and library background, as well as two (2) letters endorsing the nominee by December 15, 2025.

Submit Application

 

OLBA Super Conference Bursary

For library board members who live in Northern and small libraries, attending Super Conference can be costly. The OLBA Bursary assists board members in distant and small communities with travel expenses to conference, and allows them to choose from hundreds of professional development events, including the OLBA Board Bootcamp.

Bursaries Available:
 

2 X Northern Region (includes Northeast and Northwest): $1,250 per person

 1 X Any Library Board (excludes Northern libraries) serving a population under 15,000: $500

 Visit the OLA website for more information about OLBA member regions.
 

In addition to the bursary, recipients will be registered for the full OLA Super Conference including a single ticket to the OLA Library Award Gala. The bursary award is non-transferrable and is for the exclusive use of the recipient.
 

Winners will be chosen by random draw and informed prior to the conference.
 Bursary winners are responsible for booking their own travel accommodations. A cheque for the bursary amount will be provided within 30 days after Super Conference.

The requirements for eligibility for one of the bursaries are:

  • Your Board must be a member of OLBA
  • The person applying has never been to Super Conference before
  • The person must state which bursary they are applying for and ensure that they are applying for the correct geographic area.

 Submissions for the bursary close December 15, 2025

Submit Application