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Diana Reese, institutional library services coordinator, Colorado State Library, Salida (Colo.), is the 2007 recipient of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) Exceptional Service Award.

“As a state library consultant to libraries serving incarcerated persons, Diana Reese has helped develop some of the best institutional library facilities in the country,” said Ruth O’Donnell, ASCLA awards committee chair. “Working through periods of financial cutbacks as well as better times, she has kept a positive attitude and worked very hard to assure continuing access to libraries for offenders because she believes in the importance of library services in educating and encouraging them to improve their lives.”

“Diana’s 2005 study of the impact of correctional libraries on academic pursuits confirms her belief and provides strong support for this service around the nation.”