Gwaradzimba named ALSC Spectrum Scholar

CHICAGO —The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) chose Ticha Gwaradzimba as its 2012-2013 Spectrum Scholar. Gwaradzimba is currently pursuing her master's in Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

A native of Zimbabwe, Gwaradzimba first began working in libraries while living in Atlanta. "I moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1997," said Gwaradzimba. "I found a job as library associate with the Atlanta Fulton Public Library System, (AFPL). A few months later, while at AFPL’s Perry Homes branch, I was co-opted to help with the children’s story hour. A whole new world opened up to me; interacting with the children during that story hour was the most fun I ever had during work hours! I was hooked!"

This summer Gwaradzimba began working as a library assistant at the Beacock Branch of the London (Ontario) Public Library. She also volunteers at the Huron Heights Literacy Working Group as well as the Salvation Army Hillcrest Community Kidszone program.

“Ticha’s unique background and experience make her a wonderful choice as this year’s 2012-13 ALSC Spectrum Scholar,” said ALSC President Carolyn Brodie. “We’re excited by her commitment to working with youth and we’re very eager to watch what will surely be a very successful career in children’s librarianship.”

In 2010, ALSC expanded its commitment to the Spectrum Scholarship Program. ALSC sponsors one Spectrum Scholar each year through the Frederic G. Melcher Endowment. The ALSC Spectrum Scholar is awarded to a Spectrum applicant who expresses an interest in library service to children.

Established in 1997, the Spectrum Scholarship Program is ALA’s national effort to increase diversity in the profession by recruiting and providing scholarships that allow students from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds to become librarians. Spectrum Scholars improve service at the local level because they reflect the communities served by libraries in today’s changing world. Spectrum has provided nearly 800 scholarships to qualified applicants enrolled in an ALA-accredited graduate program in library and information studies or an AASL-recognized school library program. To learn more about the Spectrum Scholarship Program, visit www.ala.org/spectrum.

To get involved or to make a donation to the Spectrum Scholarship Program contact Gwendolyn Prellwitz, assistant director, Office for Diversity & Spectrum at gprellwitz@ala.org.

ALSC, a division of the ALA, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC visit www.ala.org/alsc.