The California Library Association’s annual Awards Gala held on October 18, 2024, highlighted the remarkable contributions of library professionals statewide, including several affiliates of the San José State University School of Information. The award recipients shared insights into the significance of their work and its impact on their communities.

Autumn Thompson, a current student enrolled in the Master of Library and Information Science program, earned the CLA Young Adult Services Award for her prom attire program, which provided free formal wear to local teens. “My manager, Kimberli Buckley, had told me that she had nominated me for my work with the prom program, and I was shocked when I received the email telling me I won,” Thompson said. The recognition was especially meaningful for Thompson because she is just beginning her career in librarianship.

The inspiration for the prom attire program stemmed from both Thompson’s volunteer experience with the Princess Project in San Francisco and her research into prom attire initiatives. She discovered that while many organizations provided dresses, few offered suits. “I decided to expand on the idea and ask for donations of prom dresses, suits, and accessories so there would hopefully be something for everyone,” she said.

The prom attire program quickly made a significant impact in her community. “Not only did this program bring the library to the attention of more teens, but it’s a huge help to local families,” Thompson explained. “Since the cost of things is so high, it can be hard for families and even teens to justify the expenses that go along with attending prom.”

Community support for the initiative was overwhelming. “It was so heartwarming to see members of the community come together to donate suits, dresses, and accessories,” Thompson said. “We even had people donate mirrors and ask to volunteer. It was great to see everyone so excited for the program.”

Looking ahead, Thompson plans to grow the program by holding pop-up shops at more local high schools and adjusting the event schedule to help students save on prom ticket prices. She noted that hosting the event earlier in the year might alleviate financial stress for families. “Numerous teens even stated that they weren’t planning on attending prom before finding their free attire at the pop-up shop,” she said.

Shannon Broden, who will be graduating with an MLIS degree in December, received the Technology New Leader Award for her work with virtual worlds and emerging technologies. Growing up, Broden was surrounded by technology. “My father worked in electronics, first in the Navy and later in civilian life,” she said. Initially, she did not envision herself following a similar path. Instead, her early career focused on storytelling, working in animation and television production.

However, as content delivery increasingly relied on technology, Broden’s professional focus shifted. “What I didn’t see then, and I am not sure many did, is how access to content and storytelling would entwine with such a dependency on technology,” she said. Her work in kids’ virtual worlds and quality assurance roles led her to pursue library and information science.

“Working with virtual worlds and emerging technologies such as browser-based virtual worlds and experiences with virtual reality headsets, which are forms of animation, brings everything together,” Broden explained. For her, the work is about more than embracing new tools. “It is about finding new ways to reach people with information and meeting people where they are. The human factor and the power of story is everything,” she said.

Mirna Gutierrez Saucedo, a current student enrolled in the MLIS program, was honored as a Begun Scholarship Winner for her transformative work in school libraries. Her dedication to making libraries inclusive and welcoming spaces was reflected in her approach to her role at Dale Junior High School. “Winning this recognition affirms the hard work I’ve poured into my role,” she said.

Saucedo initially sought to understand why students weren’t using the library more and worked to change that. “I knew the library could be a safe space—just as it had been for me,” she said. In 2021, she applied for a Laura Bush Foundation grant to address a lack of Hispanic Heritage Month books. The funding helped her expand the library’s collection to reflect the student population’s experiences better.

Her efforts didn’t stop at books. Saucedo secured additional funding for board games, encouraging collaboration and critical thinking. “Six years later, I’m still adding new games, responding to student requests through annual surveys,” she said. These initiatives have drawn students back to the library, with 70 regularly joining during lunch to enjoy games and disconnect from electronics.

When students requested creative activities, she collaborated with Project S.A.Y. to launch “Lancers Create,” a program featuring projects such as soap-making and yarn pumpkins. “Being the sole library advocate in my school is challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to lead and collaborate,” she said.

Saucedo’s passion for libraries began in childhood when she often visited her local public library in Anaheim. “Libraries and books have always been a constant source of comfort,” she said. From her middle school years to her undergraduate studies at UC Irvine, libraries served as sanctuaries where she could focus, study, and find resources she lacked at home.

Looking ahead, she plans to start a seed library inspired by her iSchool course work and linked to a nearby community garden. “We’ll plant seeds—literally and figuratively—tailored to our community,” she said. She is also reviving her school’s student book club, which had been on hold due to the pandemic.

As Saucedo transitions to a teen librarian role in a public library, she hopes to build on her experiences to connect with young patrons. “The insights I’ve gained from working in a school library will guide me in truly listening to my teen patrons and understanding their needs,” she said.

Katie Burns, who is getting ready to graduate with an MLIS degree, said she was delighted to receive the Karatsu Scholarship to attend the CLA conference in October. “I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I had been awarded the Karatsu Scholarship,” she said.

Burns emphasized how the scholarship enabled her to network and connect with librarians in her local community of San Diego. “As I approach the end of the MLIS program at San José State University, I am making an effort to network more and connect with other librarians, particularly those in San Diego, where I live,” she explained. The scholarship offered a unique opportunity to engage with CLA leaders like Shawn Thrasher and Gary Shaffer, who shared valuable insights about entering the field.

At the conference, Burns introduced herself to Misty Jones, the San Diego Public Library director, who had already heard about her through Gary Shaffer. Burns expressed gratitude for this connection, noting, “Misty informed me about some upcoming entry-level positions in the San Diego Public Library system.” She added that the experience has given her hope for securing her first library job.

Reflecting on her journey, Burns remarked, “I am extremely grateful for the Karatsu Scholarship that allowed me to attend CLA this year and gain more insight into public librarianship in California.”

Caroline Chow, a current student enrolled in the MLIS program, received the Yelland Scholarship. As a first-generation Chinese-American, Chow reflected on how her experiences shaped her understanding of the need for greater diversity in librarianship. “I recognize the value of representation in all areas of life,” Chow said. “I am grateful that the CLA offers scholarships specifically to grow and support such representation in my chosen academic and professional field of library and information sciences.”

Chow shared how the scholarship helped her focus on rigorous academic and professional commitments. In her scholarship essay, she wrote that the award would “significantly alleviate the mental load of financial concerns around the completion of this graduate program, which will create space and lend more energy towards the mental, physical, and heart-work that I do as a student, a volunteer, an intern, and as a new librarian serving diverse communities as an advocate, an ally, and a future leader.” She confirmed that the scholarship has fulfilled this promise.

Currently, Chow is balancing four courses: her role as co-project manager for the Reading Nation Waterfall Institute of Museum and Library Services grant program, part-time work as a public library assistant, and volunteer commitments. “This scholarship’s support provides not just an opportunity for my own personal growth in the field but opens the possibility for future generations to see librarians of color as a standard rather than an exception,” Chow said.

Looking ahead, Chow aims to continue working on initiatives that support social justice and representation in librarianship. She said, “As I conclude this penultimate semester of the program, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to take classes from instructors doing important work in supporting BIPOC library professionals and discussing ethical practices in librarianship.”