The PRRLA Pilot Librarian Exchange Grant Program, established by the PRRLA Steering Committee derived from Karl Lo Award, fosters professional growth and cross-institutional collaboration among member libraries. This initiative supports staff development by subsidizing visits to other PRRLA institutions, enabling participants to gain new insights, share expertise, and strengthen regional partnerships. PRRLA currently allocates an annual budget of USD $5,000* to support professional development exchanges. Participating institutions are expected to cover any additional costs not funded through this program. The grant aims to complement institutional support and encourage broader engagement across the PRRLA network.
Through funded visits to other PRRLA member libraries, participants can engage in meaningful knowledge exchange, observe best practices, and contribute to regional collaboration. Whether investigating a targeted issue or seeking broader exposure to library operations, this program fosters professional growth and strengthens inter-institutional ties.
Applicants must be a relevant professional with a minimum of five (5) years of experience and shall be currently employed at a PRRLA member institution.
The program is scheduled to launch between May and August 2026. The duration ranges from approximately three days to a week, adaptable to the specific needs of participating institutions. Exchanges may be conducted in person at host libraries, with an optional virtual format available to promote wider participation.
The program will emphasize key focus areas, including digital initiatives, open access, archives, user engagement, digital humanities, artificial intelligence, and collection development. Activities may include collaborative projects, training sessions, presentations, workshops, seminars, and webinars. Participants are required to submit a report within three months of completing the program and share their experiences and insights during the annual business meeting.
Funds can be utilised for initiatives aligned with PRRLA’s strategic focus areas above such as and professional development programs (training programs, conferences or courses) for staff, focusing on digital initiatives and emerging technologies.
Interested applicants are invited to fill in the application form by pressing Apply Now. Proposals should be aligned with PRRLA’s stated focus areas.
Each application must include the following:
A detailed proposal outlining the intended exchange activities and their relevance to PRRLA’s mission
A statement demonstrating how the proposed activities will contribute to the PRRLA community and support the applicant’s professional development.
A letter of support from the Director of the applicant’s library.
Exchange with grant support
PRRLA provides financial support for selected programs through a grant scheme. The following conditions apply:
· A maximum of USD 5,000 is allocated annually.
· Up to 2 applicants may be funded each year.
· Each successful applicant may receive up to USD 2,500 to partially cover travel and/or accommodation expenses.
· Applicants must submit a detailed budget proposal and a financial report for review and approval.
Exchange without grant support
PRRLA members are encouraged to seek funding from their home institutions or consider participating in virtual exchange programs, which do not require financial support from PRRLA.
Reporting Requirement:
Before receiving grants for the exchange, recipients must submit a final report to the Steering Committee and present it at the Annual Business Meeting. In addition to these requirements, they are also expected to contribute an article to the website, providing an update on their experience and outcomes from the exchange.
For those who participated in the exchange without receiving a grant (virtual exchange program/ home institution subsidize), the requirement is to submit an article for the website as well. This ensures that all participants contribute to the shared knowledge and visibility of the program, regardless of funding status.