Library science training scholarships in Galicia

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The library science training scholarships They have become a powerful entry point for those who want to develop their professional careers in public libraries, specialized archives, or documentation services. In Galicia, the regional government (Xunta) and other public bodies have launched highly structured programs that combine theory, intensive practice, and professional mentoring, with a monthly stipend and a duration of approximately one full year.

If you're drawn to the idea of ​​working surrounded by books, digital resources, and users, then these are for you. training grants in libraries They offer real-world work experience in top-tier centers, with support from technical staff and a well-defined training program. Throughout this article, you will find all the key information: number of places available, requirements, duration, destination centers, training content, stipend, how to apply, how merits are assessed, and what obligations you assume if you are selected.

Scholarship program for training in library science in Galicia

The Galician regional government, through the Ministry of Culture, Language and Youth The Department of Culture, Education, Vocational Training, and Universities (formerly the Department of Culture, Education, Vocational Training, and Universities) has been developing a specific plan for years to prepare future professionals for the Galician Library Network. This plan is implemented through regular calls for applications for library science training grants, managed by the Directorate General of Culture.

The philosophy behind these scholarships is clear: to combine theoretical and practical training in all the usual areas of library work, with daily experience dealing with users, physical and digital collections, and actual library services. All of this is carried out under the direct supervision of professional librarians with experience, who act as tutors, guiding learning and evaluating achievement.

The Ministry is very aware that one of the pillars of the proper functioning of public libraries is the technical qualification of staff who work in them. That's why, in addition to offering continuing education courses for current staff, it complements this offering with these training programs aimed at recent graduates who want to orient their future careers towards libraries.

These scholarships, therefore, not only serve to cover specific needs of the centers, but are conceived as a professional promotion tool to create a pool of specialists in information management, public reading, cultural promotion and services to citizens, aligned with the actual functioning of the Galician Library Network.

Number of scholarships offered, centers and training period

A total of 33 scholarships for library science trainingThese courses are distributed among several leading libraries in the region. The usual distribution focuses on regional public libraries that have sufficient resources, technical staff, and user volume to guarantee a comprehensive training program.

The centers where scholarship recipients carry out their practical training include, among others, the following: Library of GaliciaThe final assignment of locations is made in the resolution, taking into account the preferences expressed and the score obtained. The following libraries are included: Santiago Ánxel Casal Public Library, A Coruña Miguel González Garcés Public Library, Lugo Public Library, Ourense Public Library, Pontevedra Antonio Odriozola Public Library, Vigo Juan Compañel Public Library, and Ferrol Municipal Public Library (Central).

Scholarships have a maximum duration of 13 monthswith a total of up to 1.981 teaching hours. The specific development period, according to the 2026-2027 call for applications, is between a start date no earlier than June 16, 2026, and a planned end date of July 15, 2027. This timeframe allows scholarship recipients to experience practically a full year in the library, with its peak activity periods, reading promotion campaigns, and regular operations.

The training day is limited to a maximum of 7 hours a day and 35 hours a weekadapting in all cases to the schedule of the destination center. Within this framework, the specific organization of the schedule may vary according to the type of services (loan, cultural activities, extended hours, etc.), but always respecting the limits set by the call for applications.

Furthermore, the call recognizes the right to enjoy up to 10 days for personal mattersThese are paid days off that do not need to be justified or made up. When the actual duration of the grant is less than the maximum allowed, these days are adjusted proportionally. The criteria for adjusting the monthly amount when absences exceed these discretionary days are also detailed.

Context, objectives and nature of the relationship

The program is conceived as a training activity that pursues a very specific objective: to provide recent graduates with a Theoretical and practical training in library sciencedirectly linked to the day-to-day operations of public libraries. It's not simply about "lending a hand" with routine tasks, but about developing a structured training program that covers the main areas of work in these centers.

For this reason, the relationship between the beneficiary and the Administration is clearly defined as exclusively educationalNo employment, civil service, or statutory relationship of any kind is established with the Xunta de Galicia or the host institutions. At the end of the scholarship period, the individual receives a certificate stating the dates, the institution, the areas of training, and the total number of teaching hours.

Regarding the management of the scholarships, the call for applications is governed by the classic principles of public subsidies: advertising, transparency, objectivity, equality and non-discriminationas well as effectiveness in achieving objectives and efficiency in the use of resources. It is integrated into the general regulatory framework for subsidies, common administrative procedures, transparency, and the social security coverage of those participating in these types of training programs.

The program is multi-year in nature and has a global financial endowment of €463.208,00, divided between the amount allocated directly to scholarship payments (€433.290,00) and the portion reserved for Social Security contributions (€29.918,00). This financial structure ensures that the scholarship is paid and that there is coverage for common and occupational contingencies.

Financial resources and Social Security

Each of the 33 library science training scholarships is endowed with an amount of €1.010,00 gross monthlyThis amount is paid in monthly installments, always conditional upon the destination center issuing certification that the scholarship recipient has satisfactorily completed the training activity corresponding to that period.

The scholarship includes the inclusion in the General Social Security SchemeCoverage is provided for common and occupational contingencies, in accordance with current regulations for training programs. However, contributions are not made for unemployment, the Wage Guarantee Fund (FOGASA), or vocational training, as this is not an employment relationship.

The monthly amount may be adjusted proportionally to the number of actual training days in the reference month. Furthermore, when absences exceed the authorized personal days, the amount is reduced accordingly. The call for applications also provides for scenarios of temporary interruption of the scholarshipFor example, in cases of maternity or paternity, with the possibility of extending the training period if there is budgetary availability.

If the beneficiary decides to resign, they must do so with a minimum notice of 7 daysDepending on the effective date of resignation and the amounts already received, adjustments or refunds may be required. Similarly, the Administration may modify, revoke, or demand repayment of the amounts if it verifies a lack of benefit, breach of obligations, or the receipt of other incompatible aid.

Training content and syllabus

The core of these scholarships is a program of theoretical and practical training which covers the main areas of work in a modern public library. The intern rotates through different functional areas (depending on the organization of each center) and always has the support of technical staff mentors and general training coordination.

The main training blocks include the user information and trainingwhich includes guidance on library facilities, services and rules of use; support in handling the catalog and computer equipment; management of cards and user data; basic and specialized bibliographic guidance; and the preparation of information and dissemination materials (brochures, guides, web content, etc.).

Another important pillar is the cultural revitalization and the promotion of readingIn this area, scholarship recipients collaborate in the preparation of exhibitions and bibliographic displays, the organization of cultural activities and the promotion of reading (reading clubs, storytelling, meetings with authors, thematic campaigns) and actions of dissemination and communication with the user community.

Accessing the document and managing the loan constitute another key section of the syllabus. This includes tasks such as reservation, loan and return management, handling of incidents related to the use of funds, support in interlibrary loan and use of internal circuits for the circulation of documents between centers.

La collection management It occupies a very relevant space in training: selection and acquisition of funds (analyzing needs and priorities), technical process, cataloging and classification, physical or digital organization of documents, maintenance of catalogs and repositories, conservation and preservation of materials, carrying out inventories and purging according to technical and regulatory criteria.

Finally, special attention is paid to the management of library management systemsThis refers to the operational use of the software that libraries use to manage their collections, users, loans, statistics, etc. In addition, each center can incorporate other specific training content related to its own lines of work (special collections, digital resources, innovation projects, etc.). At the end of the grant, a report is prepared detailing the areas and skills developed by each participant.

Academic and administrative requirements for participation

To be eligible for these scholarships, it is essential to have a University degree related to the field of libraries, documentation or humanities, generally completed in the 2014/2015 academic year or later. Possession of the degree or proof of payment of the issuance fees is acceptable.

The accepted qualifications usually include: Bachelor's Degree in Library and Information ScienceInformation and Documentation or Digital Information and Documentation Management; degrees in Language and Literature (Galician, Spanish, Foreign or Comparative); Degree in History or Art History; Degree in Humanities, Cultural Management or Cultural Sciences; as well as any official Master's degree directly related to the field of libraries, regardless of the degree of origin.

Furthermore, the call requires being at current of tax obligations and with Social Security, and to have no outstanding debts with the regional government. These checks are usually carried out automatically through queries to various databases, unless the interested party expressly objects, in which case they must provide the supporting documentation.

A number of incompatibilities and exclusionsThese scholarships cannot be used if you have paid employment that interferes with your training, or if you receive other paid public aid or scholarships. A small exception is made for short-term, occasional jobs (less than two months cumulatively) provided they do not affect your ability to complete the training program.

Furthermore, limitations are established regarding prior experience: applicants cannot have worked as library technicians for more than six months, nor have received these same grants for a period exceeding six months. These conditions aim to ensure that the grant is truly used for... people in the early stages of their career, who have not yet established a long professional career in the sector.

Electronic application, documentation and deadlines

The processing of these scholarships is completely electronicsApplications must be submitted through the Electronic Office of the Xunta de Galicia, using the standardized form associated with procedure CT233A (or the one corresponding to each specific call), within the deadline set in the order published in the Official Gazette of Galicia.

In the 2026-2027 call for applications, the publication was made in the DOG on January 8, 2026, and the submission deadline The deadline for applications was set for February 9, 2026. Within that period, each applicant must complete the form, sign it electronically, and attach the required documentation in digital format.

The basic documentation includes the college degree or proof of payment of fees, the official academic transcript indicating the grade point average on a scale of 0 to 10, and supporting documentation for all claimed merits (training courses, master's degrees, experience, languages, etc.). Where applicable, Galician language proficiency certificates and the specific documentation for the validation of foreign qualifications must also be provided.

The Administration may carry out automatic data checks (identity, qualifications, compliance with obligations), and if for any reason it is not possible to verify any of them, it may require the applicant to provide them. If defects are detected in the application or essential documentation is missing, a period of 10 business days to correctwith the warning that, if it is not done in a timely manner, it will be understood that the person withdraws their request.

Notifications following the registration of the application are also carried out electronically. When a notification is made available to the interested party on the electronic portal and its content is not accessed within 10 calendar days, it is considered to have been received. rejected for legal purposes, and the procedure continues regardless of whether it has been read or not.

Evaluation, scoring and resolution of scholarships

Once the submission period has closed and the corrections have been reviewed, the results are published. provisional list of admitted and excluded personsA period is granted for submitting appeals or correcting clerical errors. After resolving these issues, an evaluation committee is formed, tasked with applying the objective criteria established in the call for applications.

The valuation system distributes the maximum score across multiple blocks: academic qualifications (up to 14 points), academic record (up to 5 points depending on the average grade), completion of a relevant postgraduate degree (up to 4 points), supplementary training in specific library and information science courses, teaching courses (with a score also linked to the hours taught), proficiency in foreign languages ​​(up to 2 points, according to accredited levels) and knowledge of the Galician language (up to 2 points, also depending on the accredited level).

In the case of specific training coursesThe score is assigned based on the number of hours and the relevance of the content, with minimum and maximum thresholds for the course to count. The same applies to teaching courses, which adds points up to a maximum set by the call for applications. The aim is to reward both specialized training and involvement in training activities.

To resolve possible ties in the final score, several successive criteria are followed: first, priority is given to the person with the highest score in the section of academic degreeIf the tie persists, the best academic record is considered; and, as a last resort, the order of submission of applications is used as a residual tie-breaking criterion.

The final resolution includes the list of successful applicants, their total scoreThe assigned destination center and the deadline for joining are also published. The list of alternates (ordered by score and preferences) and the list of rejected applications, with the reason for rejection, are also published. The maximum period for issuing and notifying the decision is usually five months from the publication of the call for applications; if this period expires without an express decision, the silence is considered a rejection.

Acceptance, incorporation and replacements

Once the resolution is published, the selected individuals have a term of 10 days To accept the scholarship, you must complete a standardized form confirming your personal and banking information, as well as your commitment to fulfilling the terms of the call for applications. If you do not expressly decline the scholarship within this timeframe, it is understood that you have tacitly accepted it.

The incorporation into the destination center must take place at the date indicated in the resolution or in subsequent instructions. Unjustified failure to report, failure to provide proof of the end of a possible incompatibility, or failure to meet acceptance deadlines may result in the loss of the right to the scholarship and, in some cases, have repercussions in future similar calls for applications.

In the event of resignation, revocation, or any incident that leaves any of the positions vacant, recourse is made to the list of substitutesCalls are made following the order of priority and only considering those centers that the substitute person indicated as preferred in their application. Contact is usually made by email to the address provided during the application process.

When a position is offered to a substitute, they have a very short period of time, around 3 calendar daysTo accept, you must contact the appropriate party. If you do not respond, you will be considered to have declined the offer, and the next candidate on the list will be considered. Furthermore, refusing a job offer may result in exclusion from future opportunities, so it is advisable to be clear about your preferences from the outset.

Obligations of beneficiaries and control

Those who receive a scholarship assume a series of responsibilities formal and behavioral obligationsAmong the most important requirements are regular attendance at the host center and adherence to the established schedule and training plan. A reasonable level of engagement, active participation, and respect for the instructions of the library staff are expected.

There is also an obligation to strictly observe the rules of confidentiality and data protectionThis applies both to user information and internal center information. It includes not disseminating personal data or internal documentation without authorization, and respecting current regulations on privacy and good governance.

If during the scholarship period any supervening incompatibility (for example, a full-time employment contract or the awarding of another paid scholarship), the beneficiary must immediately notify the Administration, indicating, if applicable, their resignation or the possibility of compatibility if legally permissible. They must also submit a final report within one month of the completion of the training activity, describing the tasks performed and their level of achievement.

The Administration, for its part, can carry out actions of monitoring, control and verification to verify compliance with obligations and achievement of program objectives. If serious breaches or evident lack of progress are detected, the scholarship may be revoked and, where applicable, the full or partial reimbursement of the amounts received may be demanded, along with the corresponding late payment interest.

Alongside these specific library science grants, the Xunta de Galicia also offers very similar programs in scholarships for archives and museumswith approximately 20 places available for each field and a duration ranging from 12 to 14 months depending on the modality. Although they are governed by their own rules and procedural codes, they share the same philosophy of practical, tutored training in public cultural centers.

The combination of structured training, monthly remuneration, expert mentoring, and direct experience in real libraries makes these library science training fellowships a A very powerful opportunity to make the leap into the professional world, consolidate technical skills, improve your resume and see firsthand if working in libraries fits with your expectations and your understanding of cultural services aimed at citizens.