This grant supports research pertaining to Western European studies, librarianship, or the book trade. This annual grant was established by WESS in 1985 under the sponsorship of Martinus Nijhoff International, a subscription agent and bookdealer headquartered in The Hague. The grant is now sponsored by Coutts Information Services, the international academic library vendor, from its regional offices in The Netherlands (Coutts Nijhoff International).

Award

A maximum of $3,000 donated by Coutts Information Services to cover travel to and from Europe, transportation in Europe, and lodging and board for no more than fourteen (14) consecutive days. Funds may not be used for salaries, research-related supplies, publication costs, conference fees, or equipment purchases.

Eligibility

The nominee must be a librarian employed in a university, college, community college, or research library in the year prior to application for the award.

Criteria

The primary criterion for awarding the grant is the significance and utility of the proposed project as a contribution to the study of the acquisition, organization, or use of library materials from or relating to Western Europe. Current or historical subjects may be treated. The award jury will review proposals with the following in mind:

* What is the work to be accomplished? The proposal should be as explicit as possible about the current state of knowledge in the area and what will be achieved by the successful completion of the study.
* What is the need for and value of the proposed research? The proposal should provide persuasive evidence that the study is of practical use or scholarly value to the wider community served by the grant.
* What is the methodology for carrying out the proposed work? The research design should be as specific as possible and demonstrate why the European component is essential.
* Is the work accomplishable within the timeframe proposed? If the study extends beyond the 14-day limit of the grant, the proposal should specify how the additional work would be completed and funded.
* Are the applicant’s qualifications sufficient to carry out the study?

The applicant should be able to document their ability to complete the proposed research in a timely manner.

Submissions

The application must include the following:

* A proposal, five (5) pages or less, double-spaced
* A tentative travel itinerary not to exceed fourteen (14) days, including the proposed countries and institutions to be visited and the preferred period of study/travel
* A travel budget, including estimated round-trip coach airfare, transportation in Europe, lodging expenses, and meal costs
* A current curriculum vita

Electronic submissions are required. E-mail the application to Megan Griffin at mgriffin@ala.org. If sending multiple files, each file name must contain the applicant’s name. Submissions will be acknowledged via e-mail.

Submission Deadline: Friday, December 3, 2010.

Information

If you have questions or need help in compiling a nomination, please contact Sarah E. How, Cornell University, Phone: (607) 255-9478, E-mail: seh4@cornell.edu or Megan Griffin at (800) 545-2433, ext. 2514, (312) 280-2514 or via e-mail at mgriffin@ala.org.

Obligations

The grantee is required to submit a report to ACRL within six months of no less than 4,000 words on the research resulting from the study trip. It is assumed that in most cases this report will be suitable for publication. If so, ACRL is given the first right of refusal. The grantee should submit an abstract of the report for publication in C&RL News and the WESS newsletter. In addition, the grantee may be asked to participate in a WESS general discussion group, advise the award jury, or counsel new grantees. Recipients are encouraged, but not required, to join WESS and become involved in its activities.