Kent District Library and the KDL Board of Trustees are proud to offer a $5,000 KDL Community Impact Scholarship to recognize high school seniors and adults returning to school who have worked hard to improve their communities and show potential to make long term impact. Both trade-bound and college-bound students are eligible to apply.
Strong candidates will be students who are passionate about making a difference, champions for inclusivity, innovators at heart and lifelong learners with a love for the library. These guidelines were shaped by those of the Library Journal Jerry Kline Award, an award KDL received in 2023 that afforded KDL the opportunity to begin this scholarship fund. All candidates must live within the KDL service area.
"It is an honor and a privilege to launch the second annual KDL Community Impact Scholarship, created with prize money from the Jerry Kline Award that KDL won in 2023," said Jaci Cooper, Director of Projects and Planning at KDL. "This scholarship allows us to reinvest in the future of Kent County by supporting students -- college or trades-bound -- whose talents and contributions reflect many of the values for which KDL was recognized: community-minded, innovative, resilient and committed to making their community more sustainable and connected."
Applications will be accepted online at kdl.org/scholarship from December 1, 2025 – March 1, 2026. Applications will include a form, short essay responses, academic background, a library card number and optional supporting materials like letters of recommendation. Up to three scholarships will be given this year.
The scholarship recipient(s) will be chosen based on their overall impact on the community and alignment with the scholarship criteria as displayed in their responses by the KDL Board of Trustees. Winner(s) will be announced in June. The scholarship award in the amount of $5,000 will be disbursed directly to the recipient's chosen college, university or trade school to be used for tuition, fees, books or other educational expenses.
For more information, visit kdl.org/scholarship.