Mark Puente recipient of 2015 EMIERT Distinguished Librarian Award

CHICAGO – Mark Puente, director of diversity and leadership programs at the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is the recipient of the 2015 American Library Association Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) Distinguished Librarian Award. Given annually, the Distinguished Librarian Award recognizes significant accomplishments in library services that are national or international in scope and include improving, spreading and promoting multicultural librarianship.

Puente is recognized for his work to expand diversity efforts within the library profession, specifically toward developing strategies and programs that librarians in all types of libraries can use to enhance their collections and services to underserved users. His work with the National Diversity in Libraries Conference, the Spectrum Scholarship Initiative and individual libraries provides opportunities for librarians to share stories, related research, collection approaches and best practices for increasing workplace diversity and creating an inclusive workplace environment.

“We are impressed with Mark’s trajectory from ALA Spectrum Scholar to mentor to national leader in diversity advocacy” said EMIERT Chair Katherine Trouern-Trend. “We are honored to recognize Mark for his dedication, accomplishments and contribution to moving the needle on inclusivity in libraries.”

Prior to his work at ARL, Puente worked as coordinator of digital projects and special/gift collections and assistant professor of library administration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and as research assistant professor and music librarian at the University at Tennessee, Knoxville. In addition to ALA, Puente is an active member in the Music Library Association and the Association of College & Research Libraries.

As recipient of the 2015 Award, Puente will receive a commemorative plaque and a $500 honorarium to be presented during the EMIERT President’s Program, Collective Cultural Competency: Promoting a Dialogue about Diversity in an Academic Library, Saturday, June 27, 4:30pm, Moscone Convention Center, 3012(W), during ALA’s 2015 Annual Conference in San Francisco.

For more information, please visit www.ala.org/emiert.

Founded in 1982, the Ethnic and Multicultural Information and Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) serves as a source of information for recommended ethnic and multilingual collections, services and programs.