A first-semester San José State University School of Information student, Olivia Rose Muzzy, was selected as the recipient of the American Library Association’s Christopher Hoy/Exhibits Round Table Scholarship.

A first-semester San José State University School of Information student was selected as the recipient of the American Library Association’s Christopher Hoy/Exhibits Round Table Scholarship.

Olivia Rose Muzzy, who started developing her career in libraries when she was 19 years old, works as the public services supervisor for the Kitsap Regional Library in Poulsbo, Washington. She said it was “a complete and total honor” to have received the ALA scholarship.

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for my past colleagues and supervisors, and for the librarians and teachers throughout my life,” she said. “Through the experiences they shared with me, I had the chance to explore librarianship through many different angles, working first in academic music libraries, later for a library vendor in their book conservation/preservation department, and now in public libraries.”

Earning the scholarship not only helped Muzzy financially, but she said it became an affirmation for all the work she’s done and has encouraged her to keep moving forward.

This fall is Muzzy’s first semester at the iSchool where she’s pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science degree. She chose to earn her master’s degree at the iSchool because the online program allows her to continue working in her current role at Kitsap Regional Library.

“Since the entire program is offered online, I knew that this learning environment would be optimized for students like me—students who might be working full time, in a library setting currently or hoping to move into this field,” she noted. “Now that I’m in my classes and have met quite a few of my classmates, I like that there’s such a wide variety of work experiences represented in our classroom, and to hear what has brought other students into this program as well.”

Muzzy emphasized that it was the iSchool’s “focus on innovation in the library field, especially in regard to digital and emerging technology” that appealed to her.

“I think it’s important that this program prepares students to be information professionals in the future, and not just in the now,” she said.

Muzzy is looking forward to applying what she learns directly to her work in order to better serve her community.

“In my application essay, I spoke about what makes Kitsap County exceptional, and that’s another reason why winning this scholarship was special for me. I shared the story about my amazing community and why I love my adopted home,” she said.

For information on ALA scholarships, visit the ALA scholarship web page. The iSchool also offers several scholarships to both new and continuing students. For more information on those scholarship opportunities, please visit the iSchool’s scholarship web page.