91´«Ã½

CHICAGO, June 12, 2017 - (LS&S) has increased its sponsorship level of the 2017-2018 LITA Spectrum Scholarship in honor of the 20^th Anniversary of the Spectrum Scholarship Program of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½). The Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) Spectrum scholarship encourages interest in the library automation field among aspiring librarians with leadership potential. The scholarship is for study in an 91´«Ã½ Accredited Master of Library Science (MLS) program.

“Supporting library leaders who are selected for their commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and demonstrated investment in their community is a natural fit for our emphasis on literacy, employment, inclusion, and culture,” says Dana Braccia, vice president of LS&S. "Across dozens of LS&S libraries, we’ve partnered with caring citizens to effect real change at a grassroots level. From ensuring communities have opportunities for lifelong learning and a stronger workforce, we’re delighted to do our part for the profession.”

The $6,500 contribution of LS&S will be designated as part of the 2017-2018 cohort of 60 Spectrum Scholars that announced this month. Each Spectrum Scholar receives $5,000 to combat the rising cost of graduate education as well as $1,500 to attend the Spectrum Leadership Institute held during the 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference. In addition to financial support, recipients benefit from peer mentoring and a large alumni network. With the support of partners like LITA & LS&S, the program offers continuing education and professional development opportunities foundational to obtaining leadership positions in the library profession.

Says 91´«Ã½ Executive Director Keith Fiels, “We are so pleased that LS&S is supporting this scholarship. Thanks to their leadership, and that of other Spectrum supporters, we are building a more diverse library profession. Through this investment, the company helps to benefit all the many communities that we serve.”

Amid the changing demographics and financial constraints in communities, LS&S ensures library vitality with best practices in technology, planning and operations. The company’s culture of continuous improvement enhances librarians’ careers and meets patrons’ expectations for a valuable experience so that libraries remain central to their communities.

The Spectrum Scholarship Program actively recruits and provides scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern and North African, and/or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students to assist them with obtaining a graduate degree and leadership positions within the profession and 91´«Ã½. Our aim is to increase the number of racially and ethnically diverse professionals in the field of library and information science to best position libraries at the core of today’s culturally diverse communities. To learn more about the Spectrum Scholarship Program, please contact the Office for Diversity at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5048 or visit .