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Renee Romero has been selected to receive a 2016 ($2,500) sponsored by the and . Romero will use the money to pursue a Master of Library & Information Science at the .

This Scholarship is for master’s level study, with an emphasis on library technology and/or automation, at a library school program accredited by the 91´«Ã½. Criteria for the Scholarship includes previous academic excellence, evidence of leadership potential, and a commitment to a career in library automation and information technology. It is awarded to a candidate from an under-represented group to support a more diverse profession.

The Committee was very impressed with Romero's accomplishments in her service and leadership work at UCLA, where she has demonstrated progressive growth and development in her career. One of her colleagues said, “Renee is a top contributor to a team of library professionals at UCLA, who are expanding the impact of the library in higher education.” The group felt that Romero was a natural choice for this award.

Romero works at the UCLA Library as the Instructional Design and Technology Consultant for Teaching and Learning Services. She designs and produces a series of online learning modules focused on helping students develop foundational research skills. She also leads a team effort to ensure that Powell Library's spaces are always ready for learning, with a particular focus on technology and learning space support for the Inquiry Labs. Romero enjoys getting involved with all things library, and is currently focused on promoting the National Diversity in Libraries Conference (NDLC) that will be held on the UCLA Campus in August.

When notified she had won the Scholarship, Romero said, "I am ecstatic to have been chosen as a recipient of the LITA/LSSI Scholarship! It will help ease the burden of paying for school, which will in turn enable me to focus more closely on my studies and more deeply engage with the profession. Thank you to those that chose me, it is an honor!"

Members of the 2016 LITA/OCLC Minority Scholarship Committee are: Colby Riggs (Chair); Kathryn Ruth Webb; Craig Allen Boman; Mary Anne Duffy; Richard R. Guajardo; Heylicken Moreno; and Christine Tawatao.

About LITA

Established in 1966, the is the leading organization reaching out across types of libraries to provide education and services for a broad membership of nearly 2,700 systems librarians, library technologists, library administrators, library schools, vendors, and many others interested in leading edge technology and applications for librarians and information providers. LITA is a division of the . Follow us on our , , or .

About Library Systems & Services

With public and special library locations throughout the U.S., is the only company that manages public libraries through public-private partnerships. Under this model local governments retain control of and maximize use of their assets, while the libraries benefit from streamlined and often lower-cost operations that lead to improved collections, programs, and technology. The broader communities gain an abundance of advantages as libraries become the mechanism that connects groups on a deeper level and provide valuable gathering places that inspire learning and interaction.