91´«Ã½

CHICAGO - This year, the 91´«Ã½'s (91´«Ã½) Office for Diversity is awarding a new round of more than 50 Spectrum Scholarships.

The Spectrum Scholarship Program provides scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students pursuing graduate degrees in library and information studies. Its mission is to improve service at the local level through the development of a representative workforce that reflects the communities served by all libraries. Since 1997, the 91´«Ã½ has awarded more than 730 Spectrum Scholarships.

The 2011 Spectrum Scholars are:

• Neel Agrawal, University of Washington
• Barbara Alvarez, University of Illinois
• Mikako Koyama Baker, San Jose State University
• Nataly Blas, Florida State University
• Robina Button (ALSC Scholar), University of Illinois
• Carla Davis-Castro, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
• Ana Elisa de Campos Salles, Catholic University of America
• LaToya Devezin (Teeple Scholar), Louisiana State University
• Jarrett Drake (Clowney Scholar), University of Michigan
• Crystal Duran, University of California-Los Angeles
• Sabrina Dyck (ACRL Scholar), University of Alabama
• Valeria Estrada, University of Washington
• Andrea Galbo, University of Pittsburgh
• Marissa Garcia (Gordon Scholar), Dominican University
• Jennifer Gibson, San Jose State University
• Neyda Gilman (MLA/NLM Scholar), State University of New York-Buffalo
• Hannah Gomez (YALSA Scholar), Simmons College
• Lily Grant, University of Illinois
• Tonya Grant (AASL Scholar), University of Georgia
• Judith Guzman-Montes, University of British Columbia
• Carlyn Hudson, Drexel University
• Nicole Husbands, St. Johns University
• Mayu Ishida, University of British Columbia
• Don Jason (MLA/NLM Scholar), Kent State University
• Marika Jeffery (Albert Scholar), University of Illinois
• Rebecca M. King (Giles Scholar), University of Illinois
• Daniel Lee, University of Illinois
• Mirna Lessinger, University of Washington
• Jameka B. Lewis (LIRT Scholar), Texas Woman's University
• Margita Lidaka, Dominican University
• Michelle Loera, San Jose State University
• Wai Yi Ma, University of North Texas
• Ebony Magnus, University of British Columbia
• Michael David Miller, Université de Montréal/University of Montreal
• Casey Ann Mitchell, University of North Texas
• Linda Nguyen, St. Catherine University
• Vy Nguyen, San Jose State University
• Johana Orellana Cabrera, University of North Texas
• John Parker, University of North Texas
• Ashley Payan, University of South Florida
• Beatriz Preciado, San Jose State University
• Diamond Sankey, Wayne State University
• Timothy Nalin Senapatiratne, University of Southern Mississippi
• Teresa Silva, Pratt Institute
• Curtis Small, Simmons College
• Nicole Thomas, State University of New York-Buffalo
• Marisol Vasquez, Kent State University
• Sharell Walker, St. Johns University
• Rhea Watson, University of North Texas
• Alyssa N. Willis, Simmons College
• Dawn Wing, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Aditi Worcester, University of Texas-Austin
• Cara Young (Turock Scholar), Rutgers University

Established in 1997, the 91´«Ã½ committed resources for 50 annual scholarships of $5,000 a year for Spectrum's first four years. The Spectrum program continues to fund scholarships through the initial endowment and the generous contributions of individuals and organizations whose donations support named scholarships in the Spectrum Family of Funds. For 2011, scholarships have been awarded in honor of the following individuals: Leo Albert, Ron Clowney, Louise Giles, William R. Gordon, Howard M. and Gladys B. Teeple and Dr. Betty J. Turock.

Ten of the 2011 Spectrum Scholarships have been funded by proceeds from the 91´«Ã½/ProQuest Scholarship Bash. In addition to raising much-needed funds for scholarships, the 91´«Ã½/ProQuest Scholarship Bash provides a fun event for librarians each year at the 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference.

The Medical Library Association/National Library of Medicine (MLA/NLM) supports two scholarships. The MLA/NLM Spectrum Scholarships support students of color with an interest in the field of medical or health sciences librarianship.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) announced that it would support one 2011 Spectrum Scholar interested in pursuing a career as a school librarian.

The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has announced a two-year commitment to the Spectrum Scholarship Program. One ACRL Spectrum Scholar interested in academic and research libraries will be designated in 2011.

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has established the ALSC Spectrum Scholarship through funding from the Frederic G. Melcher Endowment. One ALSC Spectrum Scholar interested in library service to children will be designated each year in perpetuity.

The Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT) has funded one 2011 LIRT Spectrum Scholar to support a student that shares LIRT’s interests in information literacy and lifelong learning.

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has funded one 2011 YALSA Spectrum Scholar pursuing a career in young adult librarianship or secondary school librarianship.

For more information on Spectrum and how you can contribute, please contact the Office for Diversity at 1 (800) 545-2433 ext. 5048 or visit . The application period for 2012 Spectrum Scholarships will open in October 2011.