FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Lana Brand
University of South Florida School of Information
813.974.3953
USF SCHOOL OF INFORMATION FOSTERS A COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
A new generation of librarians is attending the fourth REFORMA
National Conference
Tampa, FL, September 8, 2011 – The University of South Florida’s (USF)
School of Information (SI) continues its tradition of promoting diversity by
sending three representatives to the REFORMA National Conference (RNC IV) being
held September 15-18, 2011 in Denver, CO. REFORMA, the national
association to promote library and information services to Latinos and the
Spanish-speaking, is celebrating its 40th year as an organization.
The School of Information has participated in every RNC to date; this
year the School is showing its support by funding the travel expenses and conference
registration for alumna Alicia Long and student Sylvia Martinez, both
recipients of the American Library Association (ALA) Spectrum Scholarship. Long
says, “Getting to meet the librarians and other professionals who have provided
incredible services to our diverse communities is an inspiration that takes‘promoting diversity in the profession’ from empty words to real actions.”
Additionally, there will be a USF SI exhibit staffed by alumna Lana Brand, who
is also the SI Communication & Information Officer.
USF SI administrators, faculty, students, and alumni have a long
history of championing library outreach to Latinos and the recruitment of
Spanish-speakers to the profession. Most recently, the 1998 USF SI Jean KeyGates Distinguished Alumna Lucia Gonzalez led REFORMA up to this milestone year
as President from 2010-2011. More than 15 years ago, professors Dr. Kathleen de
la Peña McCook and Derrie Perez helped establish REFORMA de Florida, and now
recent graduate Alicia Long is one of the leaders rejuvenating the chapter.Former director Dr. de la Peña McCook has been a member of the REFORMA Board of
Directors, chair of the Trejo-Foster Institute, and winner of the Trejo
Librarian of the Year Award and the Hispanic Heritage Award. For these reasons
and others, USF SI was recognized with the first REFORMA Library School of
Excellence Award in 2000 at RNC I.
Long,
Martinez, and Brand will represent the administrators and faculty who initiated
the School's heritage of cultural diversity. Like their mentors, they hope to
put what they learn at RNC IV into practice for the benefit of the multicultural
communities they serve and, in the words of Martinez, to become “informed and
effective advocates.”