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The ¾«¶«´«Ã½ (ALA) is pleased to announce the selection of Sarah Smith of Albuquerque, New Mexico as the 2024 Christopher Hoy/ERT Scholarship recipient.

The scholarship was named for a long-time ¾«¶«´«Ã½staff member who directed the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Conference Services Office for more than 20 years. This scholarship fund was established with donations from Christopher J. Hoy and the Exhibits Round Table (ERT) to honor his memory. The $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a person pursuing a master's degree in library and information studies.

Currently, Smith works as a library information specialist at the University of New Mexico. She believes that her work at the library has helped her to understand the importance of organizing information and improving access to the valuable resources housed within the library.

As Smith continues her work within the library and her studies, she wants to focus on providing access for library patrons and to the community. She also stated that, “Culture and diversity are a big part of my life, and I am dedicated to the preservation of cultural materials and spaces so they can be accessible and protected.”

Smith’s enthusiasm for library work and dedication to providing access to the library community has been obvious to her colleagues. One reference commented that, “She has a passion for library work and expresses an enthusiasm that fosters morale in our community. Yet another reference said that “She is a service-oriented individual, committed to supporting our library users. She demonstrates leadership and professionalism, which has contributed to improved services, spaces, and collections, and enhanced our capacity to offer our users a safe, welcoming, and supportive library environment.”

Smith works towards her goals using the core values of libraries as her guidepost. She commented, “Through all my experiences, I find that the core values of librarianship align closely with my own values and skills. I am committed to pursuing this field and continuing to evolve and grow with it as the world around us changes.”

Smith attends the University of Missouri.

For information on the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Scholarship program, visit our .

The ¾«¶«´«Ã½ manages the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Scholarship Clearinghouse.