Conover-Wihtol Scholarship, Middletown Township Public Library

Posted April 21, 2026

The Board of Trustees of the Middletown Township Public Library has announced that a Conover-Wihtol Scholarship will be awarded to a student interested in a career in the rewarding and challenging profession of librarianship.

The Scholarship was created in 1972 to honor and remember Edith B. Conover and Karl F. Wihtol, both long-time residents of Middletown Township and dedicated friends of the Library. Since its inception, the Fund has awarded 82 scholarships to qualified individuals, many of whom have become quite active in the information field.

Kathryn Hammond, Director of the Library, noted that there are a great number of career opportunities in academic, special libraries, and public libraries. For example, public libraries are no longer just books and audio-visual materials. Public libraries are cultural, educational, and informational centers. For the past several years, the New Jersey State Library has run programs across the state promoting the library profession. By offering the Conover-Wihtol Scholarship for 54 years, Middletown Township Public Library has shown its commitment to the library field through its support of those individuals seeking to enter the profession.

The Conover-Wihtol Scholarships are offered for a minimum of $500 to applicants possessing a bachelor’s degree or who are in the final semester of undergraduate studies. The applicant will be expected to provide evidence of acceptance for graduate work at an ALA accredited school of Library Science.

Additional information and application forms are available at the Reference Desk at the Middletown Township Public Library, the Library website at mtpl.org or by calling 732-671-3700 ext. 330. Completed application forms must be postmarked no later than July 1, 2026.

Scholarship(s) will be announced at the July 15, 2026 Library Board of Trustees meeting and recipients will be invited to the September 16, 2026 Library Board of Trustees meeting for an awards presentation and photo opportunity.

Requirements:

1. Must be a resident of New Jersey.
2. Must be attending or be accepted for admission at an accredited School of Library
   Science for a Masters degree in Library Science or other post graduate library science degree.
3. Must meet requirements of character and scholarship as determined by the selection
   committee.

How to Apply

The candidate must:

1. Complete the standard application form which can be obtained from the Library or Library website (see below).
2. Submit a written statement of 150-200 words indicating what contribution you can make to the library profession and librarianship as a career.
3. Submit a transcript from the college/university you are attending (Graduate/Undergraduate).
4. Submit two reference letters.
5. Submit evidence of enrollment or acceptance to an accredited program for a Masters in Library Science (MLS).
6. Submit all applications and attachments to the Middletown Township Public Library by July 1, 2026. (Scholarship(s) will be announced at the July 15, 2026 Board of Trustees meeting.)