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Simone Wagner has been selected to receive the 2018 ($3,000) sponsored by the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) and Baker & Taylor. Wagner will be attending Simmons School of Library and Information Science starting in Fall 2018 to earn a Master of Science in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Cultural Heritage.

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.

The LITA/Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship Committee unanimously chose Wagner as the scholarship recipient due to her strong academic achievement, her relevant experience and interest in Information Technology, and her demonstrated leadership. She leads a project to integrate the New York Public Library Digital Collections into student graphic design projects expanding the use of online archives. Wagner also volunteered with Dream Africa Volunteer Service (DAVS) in Ghana teaching computer basics to young adults ages 18-35, was a web designer for UNESCO creating a site to be shared using 5 different languages, and she worked in Mumbai, India for the Ascend International School leading the professional development of staff around technology.

Beyond this, Wagner also has experience with stop motion animation, audio and video editing, and video game creation and design. The Committee was impressed with her variety of experiences and looks forward to welcoming her as a colleague in the future.

When notified she had won, Wagner said, "I am honored to receive the 2018 LITA/Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship and would like to thank the LITA, 91´«Ã½ and Baker & Taylor for this recognition and support. As a technology educator locally and internationally, I have learned that the democratization of information and services empowers communities to be advocates for their own education. I look forward to tackling challenges of accessibility through the preservation of our diverse digital artifacts worldwide."

Members of the 2018 LITA/Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship Committee are: Kelly Sattler (Chair), Christopher Lawton (Vice-Chair), Julia Bauder (Past Chair), Justin Lee Baumgartner, Katherine Boden, and Amy Kimura.

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 Baker & Taylor

is the premier worldwide distributor of books, digital content and entertainment products. The company offers cutting-edge digital media services and innovative technology platforms to thousands of publishers, libraries, schools and retailers worldwide. Baker & Taylor also offers industry leading customized library services and retail merchandising solutions.