A. Ralph Papakhian Travel Grant

The A. Ralph Papakhian Travel Grant supports attendance at the annual MOUG meeting and, in recognition of Ralph’s mentoring role in music librarianship, is especially intended to support newer members of the profession in both public and technical services.

The award offers free conference registration for the MOUG annual meeting; reimbursement of up to $200 in associated expenses (lodging, meals, etc.); and one year’s free membership in MOUG, including three issues of the MOUG Newsletter.

Students, paraprofessionals, and professionals in the first five years of their professional careers who are likely to benefit from MOUG’s educational opportunities are eligible to apply. This includes everyone who works with music materials in libraries or library systems, whether they are music specialists or generalists. Professional and workplace need, financial need, past training and experience, demonstration of initiative, likely further contributions to the profession, and comments from reference letters are also considered. Applicants need not be current members of MOUG. While preference will be given to applicants who will be attending the MOUG annual meeting for the first time, an individual who meets the preceding conditions and who has attended a previous MOUG annual meeting is eligible to apply. Preference will also be given to applicants who have not previously been awarded a Ralph Papakhian Travel Grant.

Donate to the Ralph Papkhian Travel Grant

2020 Recipients

Linda Bagley, Music Cataloging Specialist, University of Colorado Boulder

Linda Bagley is the Music Cataloging Specialist for the Howard B. Waltz Music Library at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she started working during the fall semester in 2018. She is responsible for original cataloging, complex copy cataloging, as well as database maintenance for music materials, and is currently working towards independent contributor status in the NACO-Music Project. Prior to working at CU Boulder, Linda completed an M.A. in Library and Information Studies and an M.M. in Violin Performance at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. During her time in Madison, she gained valuable experience through working in the Mills Music Library and Central Technical Services in Memorial Library, and also worked as an orchestra librarian for the music department. Her music cataloging interests include the future of digital media in music libraries, particularly the cataloging and processing of electronic theses and dissertations, PDF scores, and streaming audio. When she isn’t cataloging, she enjoys playing her violin and is always looking for more opportunities to continue performing.

Clara Burns, Music Copy Cataloger, University of Colorado, Boulder

Originally bi-coastal, Clara Burns lives and works in Boulder, Colorado. She received her MLIS from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and her MFA in Writing and Poetics from Naropa University in Boulder, where a student job in the library ignited her interest in librarianship. As Music Copy Cataloger for CU Boulder’s Waltz Music Library, she is responsible for music materials complex and copy cataloging, and training and supervising student staff in materials receiving and processing. She also serves in the Libraries New Employee Mentoring Program, and as co-coordinator for the Libraries Diversity and Inclusive Excellence working group (DIEWG). An avid reader, writer, musician and editor, she finds music cataloging uniquely satisfying for bridging her varied interests and keeping her love for the details happily engaged. Her cataloging focus includes emerging strategies to incorporate taxonomies that enhance access for non-conservatory music traditions and under-represented communities. Clara spends her time outside the library with family and friends, and, like Graham’s Ratty, “simply messing about” — not in boats, but similarly — in music, art-making, and gardens.

Alex Chisum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Alex Chisum holds a BA from the University of Southern California and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Alabama. He is in his final year in the MSLS program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he is the recipient of the Margaret Ellen Kalp Memorial Fellowship  and the Carolina Academic Library Associate Assistantship, focusing on cataloging special formats, including sound recordings, scores, and maps. Before attending library school, he worked in technical services at the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Past Recipients

2019

  • Britt Burns, Music Metadata Specialist, UCLA
  • Joshua Dieringer, Music Cataloging and Metadata Associate, University of North Texas
  • Patrick Hutchinson, Music Cataloger, Brown University

2018

  • Enrique Caboverde, III, Cataloger, Florida International University
  • Ryan Johnson, MLS graduate student, Indiana University
  • Dustin Ludeman, Senior Librarian (Music Cataloger), New York Public Library/BookOps
  • Treshani Perera, Music and Fine Arts Cataloging Librarian, University of Kentucky
  • Dan Ray, Music Metadata Librarian, University of Virginia
  • Wanda Rosinski, Original and Copy Cataloger, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Katherine Willeford, MLS graduate student, University of North Texas

2017

  • Synae Yoon, Music & Media Cataloging/Metadata Librarian, Southern Methodist University
  • Clara Burns, Music Copy Cataloger, University of Colorado Boulder
  • Jen Bort, LIS graduate student, Syracuse University

2016

  • Alyssa Hislop, Project Sound Recording Cataloger, Stanford University
  • Laura Thompson, Reference/Music Librarian, Central Michigan University
  • Rahni Kennedy, Temporary Music Cataloging/Metadata Specialist, Southern Methodist University

2015

  • Anna Alfeld LoPrete, Music Cataloger, Indiana University
  • Colin Bitter, Graduate Library Assistant, Music Library, University of North Texas
  • Sophie Rondeau, Sound Recordings Cataloger, University of Syracuse

2014

  • Elizabeth Hille Cribbs, Cataloging (Music) Librarian, Northern Illinois University
  • Chris Diamond, Library Information Specialist IV, Baylor University
  • Keith Knop, Associate Music Cataloger, Florida State University
  • Jennifer L. Vaughn, Technical Specialist, Syracuse University Libraries
  • Elin Williams, Music Librarian, Victoria Conservatory of Music (British Columbia)
  • Mark Zelesky, Music Circulation and Stacks Manager, Rowan University

2013

  • Claire Marsh, Senior Librarian for Library Systems and Projects, Jazz Archivist, Leeds College of Music
  • Christina Linklater, Project Music Cataloger, Harvard University
  • Jacey Kepich, Digital Imaging Technician, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • Karla Jurgemeyer, Cataloging and Acquisitions Associate, St. Olaf College
  • Kristen Heider, Music and Digital Resources Cataloging/Metadata Specialist, Southern Methodist University

2012

  • Sonia Archer-Capuzzo, Library Technician and Cataloger, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

2011

  • Sally Bauer, Music/Media Cataloger, New York Public Library
  • Sandra Schipior, Cataloger, Juilliard School of Music
  • Tim Smolko, Library Associate (Acquired Music Cataloger), University of Georgia