Sheila Cates served as Library Development Coordinator at the Montana State Library from 1985 until her death from cancer in 1993.  Sheila, whose energy, kindness, and ingenuity made an impact on so many Montana librarians, was named Montana Library Association’s Librarian of the Year in 1993. The Montana Library Association established the Sheila Cates Scholarship in 1994 to provide financial support to association members seeking education in the library and information science field. 

The Sheila Cates Scholarship provides financial support to Montana Library Association members seeking a graduate degree in library and information science or a graduate school library media program. Individuals selected to receive an award from the scholarship fund must show potential for emulating Sheila’s contributions to Montana libraries.

A donation to the Cates Scholarship Fund honors Sheila's legacy and strengthens the scholarship in years to come.