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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2006
Contact:
, Austin Public Library, (512) 974-7528
Fax: (512) 974-7442
Librarian at Austin Public Library Wins the 2006 Trejo Librarian of the Year Award
A National Award sponsored by the American Library Association
The Trejo Librarian of the Year (LOTY) Committee of REFORMA, announced May 17, 2006 that Ms. Elva Garza, Managing Librarian of the St. John Branch of the Austin Public Library, has been selected as the recipient of 2006 Trejo Librarian of the Year Award.
The Trejo Librarian of the Year Award honors a REFORMA member who has made significant contributions to Latino librarianship. Dr. Arnulfo D. Trejo, an author, professor, and bibliophile, was best known as the driving force behind the movement to promote Hispanic librarianship and improve library services for the underserved. REFORMA is an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), with a mission to promote library and information services to Latinos and the Spanish speaking.
The LOTY committee recognized in Ms. Elva Garza, her outstanding local involvement strongly advocating for the Latino and immigrant community, her impacting library work and community outreach, and her active nationwide contributions to REFORMA.
"Elva is, quite simply, a remarkable woman and a dedicated and imaginative librarian. She exemplifies the mission of the public library as a critical connecting point for the community. She is deeply committed to ensuring access to the resources of the library for all members of the community, and has worked with others to remove barriers that prevent access,…" Mary Ellen Isaacs, Co-Chair of the 2006 Día de los niños / Día de los libros.
The award will be presented on Sunday, June 25 at ALA conference in New Orleans.
ABOUT REFORMA
REFORMA is committed to the improvement of the full spectrum of library and information services for the approximately 56.2 million Spanish-speaking and Latino people in the United States. Established in 1971 as an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), 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 in regards 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 twenty REFORMA chapters. These function autonomously, working through their local library systems, state library associations, and local organizations to achieve local objectives.
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