Section 3462 - Ada Leigh Soles memorial professional librarian and archivist scholarship(a) Purpose. - It is the intent and purpose of this scholarship to enable and encourage academically talented Delawareans to pursue careers as librarians and archivists in Delaware.(b) Administration. (1) This scholarship is administered by the Delaware Division of Libraries.(2) The Division of Libraries shall adopt rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to administer the provisions of this scholarship.(c) Awards. (1) Awards shall be provided for graduate education in master's degree programs of library and information studies that are accredited by the American Library Association. Preference shall be given to persons currently employed by a Delaware public library, county department of libraries, public school library or state agency library, a member library of the Delaware Library Consortium, or archive.(2) Awards may also be provided for a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree prior to the master's degree and/or a doctoral degree following the master's degree. Awards shall be limited to persons who have been employed at a Delaware public library, county department of libraries, public school library, a member library of the Delaware Library Consortium, or state agency library or archive for a minimum of 2 years.(3) Selection criteria may include consideration of community service, academic achievement, and financial need.(d) Renewal. (1) Renewal of awards is limited to the number of years that constitute the standard full-time completion rate. To be eligible for renewal of an award, the recipient must meet the academic progress standards set by the Division of Libraries and communicated in writing to the recipient at the time the initial award is granted. The Division of Libraries will determine whether a recipient of an incentive loan under the Ada Leigh Soles Memorial Professional Librarian and Archivist Incentive Program is eligible to renew an award.(2) Recipients of incentive loans under the Ada Leigh Soles Memorial Professional Librarian and Archivist Incentive Program awarded prior to July 1, 2022 are eligible to renew their award as provided in § 3417 of this title. The Division of Libraries will determine whether such recipient is eligible to renew an award.Amended by Laws 2021, ch. 413,s 1, eff. 7/1/2022.