91´«Ã½

CHICAGO - REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, has selected Alicia Long, library assistant at the State College of Florida and a recent MLIS graduate from the University of South Florida, for the 2012 91´«Ã½ Emerging Leaders program. As sponsor, REFORMA provides a stipend of $1,000 to support her attendance and participation in the Emerging Leaders program at the 2012 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference.

“It is REFORMA’s great pleasure to provide support for passionate, young, Latino librarians who will become future leaders,” said Maria Kramer, 2011-2012 president of REFORMA. “We are an association of professionals working together toward the common goal of improving library services for Latinos and the Spanish speaking community. This shared goal makes REFORMA one of the most diverse cultural and linguistic organizations in the profession.”



Long was a 2009 91´«Ã½ Spectrum Scholar. In addition to her new position at the State College of Florida, she currently serves as recording secretary for the newly re-activated REFORMA de Florida Chapter.

The Emerging Leaders program enables librarians and library staff from across the country to participate in project planning workgroups; network with peers; gain an inside look into 91´«Ã½ structure; and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity early in their careers. Emerging Leaders receive up to $1,000 each to participate in the Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference, and each participant is expected to provide years of service to 91´«Ã½ or one of its units. For the complete list of the 2012 class of Emerging Leaders, please visit

Established in 1971 as an affiliate of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½), REFORMA has actively sought to promote the development of library collections to include Spanish-language and Latino oriented materials; the recruitment of more bilingual and bicultural library professionals and support staff; the development of library services and programs that meet the needs of the Latino community; the establishment of a national information and support network among individuals who share our goals; the education of the U.S. Latino population with regard to the availability and types of library services; and lobbying efforts to preserve existing library resource centers serving the interests of Latinos. Nationally, there are 26 REFORMA chapters. For more information on REFORMA, please visit .