Middle East Librarians Association (MELA) | M. Lesley Wilkins Education Award

In recognition of the special contributions to Middle East librarianship by M. Lesley Wilkins, Bibliographer for Law of the Islamic World at the Harvard Law School Library who passed away on 23 July 2007, the Middle East Librarians' Association (MELA) has established the M. Lesley Wilkins Education Award. A cash prize of $1,000 (USD one thousand) will be awarded in alternate years in Lesley’s memory to a person who made significant contributions to education and mentorship in Middle East librarianship. These contributions include but are not limited to: mentoring other librarians, excellence in teaching, innovative original research, and promotion of education in the field. The winner is chosen by a special board which administers the fund and is made up of:

The MELA President
The MELA immediate Past-President (Chair)
The MELA Secretary-Treasurer
The Chair of the MELA Committee on Education
The MELA Mentorship Coordinator
Two MELA members in good standing appointed by the MELA Executive Board
Contact the board

The recipient of the prize will be honored at a ceremony at the MELA business meeting.

In order that sufficient funds can be raised to enable this prize to be awarded in perpetuity the MELA Board has set a fund-raising target of $10,000 (ten thousand US dollars). Donations will be permanently restricted and invested in order to preserve the intent of the M. Lesley Wilkins Education Award and to enable it to grow and be sustainable. Future MELA Boards shall look into possible opportunities that would maximize the revenue gained from the Fund’s investments.

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The Middle East Librarians' Association is an IRS 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization. Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent allowed by the law (please consult your tax advisor).