91´«Ã½

The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) has selected Emily Werner of Boulder, Colorado as the 2018 recipient of the Mary V. Gaver Scholarship.

The $3,000 scholarship was established to honor the memory of a past 91´«Ã½ president and Rutgers University professor, who made many contributions to library youth services. The scholarship is awarded to a person pursuing a master's degree in library and information studies, with a specialty in youth services.

In reflecting on her career path, Werner stated, “Like Mary V. Gaver herself, my path to library science was unplanned. My commitment to public service along with my passion for research and writing had always led me to believe that I was meant for a career in international field work, data analysis, or public communication. It was only after I completed two years in the Peace Corps as an education volunteer that my career trajectory became unmoored. I cherished my time as a teacher. Now I wish to create a larger impact through children’s programs and projects.” She hopes that by earning a master’s degree in library and information studies, she will “be able to continue serving others—just as Ms. Gaver did.”

One reference stated, “I was continuously impressed with her ability to take initiative and use her resourcefulness to work effectively both individually and as part of a professional team. Emily demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and interest in working with people of other cultures. Her work with the Peace Corps in Indonesia benefitted the advancement of English language education and increased the cross-cultural awareness of her students and colleagues. Those she worked with valued her enthusiasm and dedication.”

Another reference commented that, “Emily is extraordinarily bright, upbeat, organized, friendly, and thoughtful. She cares deeply about others and the world. She has the intellectual and productive capabilities to turn that care into meaningful action.” This is evident in Werner’s current volunteer activities. Werner says, “I have left my Indonesian book drives and library building projects behind and am now volunteering at a safe house for domestic violence survivors and their children.” Here she works with children in a variety of ways. She started a ‘reading hour’ where she reads with the children and then creates activities for them based on the readings. She says her “desire is to build on these efforts so that every child who enters the house finds possibility and opportunity in what is often assumed to be a difficult environment.”

Werner will attend the University of Washington (Seattle).

For information on the 91´«Ã½ Scholarship program, visit our .

The 91´«Ã½ manages the 91´«Ã½ Scholarship Clearinghouse.

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