[5]Applications are now open for the Carla Gray Memorial Scholarship for Emerging Bookseller-Activists [5].

The year-long scholarship, to be offered on an annual basis and provided by the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation [6] and the Friends of Carla Gray, will send one bookseller to the American Booksellers Association’s 2019 Winter Institute and their region’s 2019 fall trade show as well as dedicate $1,000 for the recipient to establish and implement a community outreach program through their store.

Gray, the executive marketing director for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt who died unexpectedly in June 2017, believed that books could change people and that people could change the world; supporting emerging booksellers and their efforts to make a difference in one’s community was essential to her. Booksellers are encouraged to think outside the box for their community outreach project.

“The Binc Foundation is privileged to help commemorate Carla’s legacy within the publishing industry by establishing this scholarship,” said Binc Executive Director Pam French. “We look forward to meeting the winner and learning about their community project as a way to honor Carla as the beloved friend and book champion that she was to all who knew her.”

Applicants may receive this scholarship only once. Booksellers are eligible to apply if they meet the following requirements:

• Applicant has at least one year but fewer than five years of bookselling experience.
• Applicant must be a part-time or full-time employee of a bookstore.
• Applicant’s store is a member in good standing with both ABA and its regional association.
• Applicant is willing and able to commit one year to completing the requirements of the scholarship and intends to remain employed at the designated bookstore.
• Bookstore owner agrees to partner on the community outreach project.

Booksellers can apply now on the Binc website [5]. The deadline for applications is October 9. Questions about the scholarship should be directed to Binc’s Kit Steinaway [7].