Podell accepts 2009 Mary V. Gaver Scholarship
Kimberly Sanders
Program Officer, Education & Scholarships
ALA, Human Resource Development & Recruitment (HRDR)
800-545-2433 x4279
For Immediate Release
June 30, 2009
CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) has named Laura Elena Ochoa Podell of Madison, Wis., the recipient of the 2009 Mary V. Gaver Scholarship.
The $3,000 scholarship was established to honor the memory of Gaver, a past ALA president and Rutgers University professor, who made many contributions to library youth services. The scholarship is awarded to a person pursuing a master's degree in library and information studies, with a specialty in youth services.
As an educator at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, Podell’s commitment to a career in library science stemmed from a short conversation with a Dominican grandmother who thanked her for coming and leading an outreach program at the Bronx Public Library.
Podell’s passion for teaching children and multiculturalism stems from her time spent living in Central America. She received an undergraduate degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from University of Michigan and a TESOL certificate from Teachers College, Columbia University.  “I have a commitment to teaching children,” says Podell. She is especially committed to “developing and providing enrichment programming for children and adolescents that promote reading and learning.”
To a career in librarianship Podell brings an eight-year history of working with various non-profit children organizations, as well as a dedication to children’s programming, literacy and minority communities.Â
Podell will attend Pratt Institute.
