Scholarship Application Letter Librarian in Nepal Kathmandu – Free Word Template Download with AI

For the Master of Library and Information Science Scholarship Program

Sunita Shrestha

Kathmandu, Nepal

April 12, 2024

Scholarship Committee

International Library Development Foundation

Kathmandu, Nepal

Dear Esteemed Members of the Scholarship Committee,

With profound respect for the transformative power of knowledge and unwavering commitment to educational equity, I am writing to submit my formal application for the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) Scholarship Program. As a dedicated library professional currently serving at the Tribhuvan University Central Library in Kathmandu, Nepal, I seek this scholarship to deepen my expertise in modern information management systems that directly address the evolving needs of Nepali communities. This Scholarship Application Letter embodies my vision for becoming a catalyst for change within Nepal's library ecosystem, particularly in our capital city where access to quality information remains critically uneven across socioeconomic divides.

My journey as a Librarian began seven years ago when I joined the Kathmandu Valley Public Library Network as an assistant librarian. Witnessing firsthand how inadequate library infrastructure marginalizes rural students, elderly citizens, and women entrepreneurs in Nepal Kathmandu, I became convinced that sustainable progress requires not just book collections but technologically integrated knowledge hubs. During my tenure, I spearheaded the digitization of 15,000+ Nepali-language documents from the Kathmandu Valley's historical archives – a project that exposed me to systemic gaps in metadata standards and digital preservation practices. I developed community literacy programs that increased library usage by 42% among underserved youth groups in Patan and Thamel districts, yet I recognize these initiatives are limited without advanced technical training. Nepal Kathmandu, with its 3 million residents and growing demand for digital resources, urgently needs librarians who can bridge traditional knowledge systems with contemporary information science.

The International Library Development Foundation’s scholarship represents more than financial support – it is a strategic investment in Nepal's intellectual infrastructure. My undergraduate studies in Information Science at Tribhuvan University equipped me with foundational knowledge, but I require specialized training to implement the National Digital Library Framework 2023, which prioritizes AI-driven cataloging systems and multilingual metadata standards. Current Nepali library professionals face three critical challenges: (1) outdated OPAC systems that cannot handle Nepali script efficiently, (2) minimal digital literacy programs for elderly populations in Kathmandu's peri-urban settlements, and (3) no standardized protocols for preserving oral history collections from Nepal's indigenous communities. This scholarship would enable me to pursue the MLIS program at the University of South Australia – a globally recognized institution with partnerships with UNESCO’s Digital Heritage Network, specifically to study their courses on Metadata Standards for Non-Latin Scripts and Digital Preservation Ethics in Developing Nations.

I am particularly motivated by how this scholarship aligns with Nepal Kathmandu's Sustainable Development Goals. In my current role, I've observed that 68% of library users in Kathmandu require assistance navigating digital resources – a statistic that mirrors the national literacy gap where only 70% of Nepali adults possess functional digital skills. Upon returning to Nepal, I will implement a three-phase initiative at the Central Library: First, establishing a mobile digital literacy van servicing informal settlements like Baluwatar and Maharajgunj; second, creating an online repository of Kathmandu's intangible cultural heritage through community co-curation; third, developing open-source metadata templates for Nepali-language materials that comply with UNESCO's Universal Decimal Classification standards. This scholarship is the essential catalyst that will allow me to design these initiatives with academic rigor rather than incremental trial-and-error.

My commitment to Nepal Kathmandu extends beyond professional development. I co-founded "Read for All," a community-led literacy initiative serving 200+ underprivileged children in Patan district, where we've seen school enrollment rates increase by 35% among participating families. This work revealed that libraries function as social equalizers – especially vital in Nepal Kathmandu where education access remains stratified by caste and geography. I have also documented the oral histories of Newar artisans through our library's community archive project, preserving vanishing craft traditions now threatened by urbanization. These experiences cemented my belief that a modern Librarian must be both technologist and cultural custodian.

The International Library Development Foundation's mission to empower information professionals in the Global South resonates deeply with my life's work. While many scholarship applicants seek international exposure, I remain focused on Nepal Kathmandu because I understand that global best practices must be contextualized locally. For instance, during a research trip to Bangkok libraries last year, I adapted their youth digital storytelling model to create "Kathmandu Story Circles" where children document their neighborhood histories – a program now replicated in 5 district libraries across Nepal. This demonstrates my ability to synthesize international knowledge with local needs.

I am aware that the most impactful librarianship requires humility and continuous learning. In our rapidly changing Nepal Kathmandu, where smartphone penetration has reached 78% but digital literacy remains low, we must move beyond passive collection management to active community engagement. This scholarship represents not just a degree, but a partnership with an institution that values Nepali knowledge systems as much as Western frameworks. I am prepared to return immediately after graduation with a strategic plan for implementing the MLIS curriculum's practical modules: developing Nepal-specific digital asset management protocols, training 50+ library staff across Kathmandu Valley in AI-assisted cataloging, and establishing a national metadata working group with the Nepal Library Association.

As Nepal embarks on its Digital Economy Policy 2023, libraries are no longer just book repositories but community innovation centers. My goal is to transform our Central Library into an inclusive digital hub where a farmer in Kirtipur accesses agricultural databases while a student in Sankhamul explores virtual museums of Kathmandu's heritage – all through systems designed by Nepali professionals for Nepali needs. This scholarship would provide the academic foundation to make that vision operational. I have attached my academic transcripts, recommendation letters from Dr. Aruna Sharma (Head Librarian, Tribhuvan University) and Mr. Bishal Lama (Chairperson, Nepal Library Association), and a detailed implementation roadmap for our proposed Kathmandu Digital Library Project.

Thank you for considering this Scholarship Application Letter. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my vision for Nepal Kathmandu's library future aligns with your foundation's mission. May we together build information ecosystems where knowledge serves as both bridge and beacon across Nepal’s diverse landscapes.

Sincerely,

Sunita Shrestha

Librarian & Digital Literacy Coordinator

Tribhuvan University Central Library, Kathmandu, Nepal

Email: [email protected] | Phone: +977 1-4456789

Word Count: 852 words

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