Forty-two library professionals from across the U.S. will attend the 2026 Southern Library Support Staff Conference thanks to generous support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.
These scholarships honor library support staff who have demonstrated exceptional potential to make a meaningful impact on their institutions and communities. Recipients were selected based on their alignment with this year’s conference theme, “From the Heart of the Library: Stories of Engagement, Innovation, and Leadership,” through their thoughtful statements of interest and strong letters of support from supervisors.
Congratulations to the award recipients!
- Jack Anderson, Library Aide, Martin (Tennessee) Public Library System
- Megan Anderson, Youth Services Librarian, White House (Tennessee) Public Library System
- Kirsten Bedford, Social Science Library Associate, Florida State University Libraries
- Jennifer Bennett, Interlibrary Loan Coordinator and Archives Supervisor, Trevecca Nazarene University Libraries
- Patricia Bowden, STEM Library Specialist, Florida State University Libraries
- Aron Bowers, Library Technician, University of Alabama Libraries
- Jessica Bowman, Library Associate for Public Services, Georgia Highlands College Libraries
- Charisse Brent, Archival Intern, University of Southern California Libraries
- Rachel Bryant, Outreach Coordinator and Children's Specialist, Camden County (North Carolina) Public Library System
- Amanda Bucher, Outreach and Programs Coordinator, Millington (Tennessee) Public Library System
- Hunter Cammel, Circulation Supervisor, Trevecca Nazarene University Libraries
- Nicholas Cooper-Kedrick, Technical Services Associate, Georgia Institute of Technology Libraries
- Caroline Crouch, Librarian, Overbrook Catholic School Library (Nashville, Tennessee)
- LaTonia Davis, Library Assistant, Fulton County (Georgia) Library System, and MLIS Student, San José State University
- Kai Desir, Administrative Operations Manager, University of Central Florida Libraries
- Clarice Dodd, Senior Library Specialist, DeKalb County (Georgia) Public Library System
- Matthew Hermane, Circulation Clerk, White House (Tennessee) Public Library System
- Julie Holland, Senior Library Assistant, Tennessee State University Libraries
- Christie Johnson, eResources Serials Specialist, Clemson University Libraries
- Diana Kelly, Library Technical Assistant II, University of Central Florida Libraries
- Jennifer Kring, Youth Services Supervisor, Cleveland (Tennessee) Bradley County Public Library
- Lauren Louton, User Services Weekend Lead, University of Arkansas Libraries
- Erica Lovelette, Library Operations Coordinator, University of South Florida Libraries
- Stephen Tyler McQueen, MLIS Student, East Carolina University
- Lisa G. Parrish, Digitization Project Assistant and Circulation Assistant, Tennessee State University Libraries
- Ashley N. Phillips, Library Page, Washington County (Tennessee) Public Library System
- Deborah Matthews Pomeroy, Senior Library Assistant and Administrative Secretary to the Dean of Library and Student Learning Services, Fayetteville (North Carolina) Technical Community College Libraries
- Rebekah Pyne, Library Clerk II, Beaumont (Texas) Public Library System
- Winnifred Quarshie, MLIS Student, University of Alberta Library
- Tiffany Roberts, Technical Services Associate I, Georgia Institute of Technology Libraries
- Jude Romines, Resource Description Specialist, Emory University Libraries
- Reinhardt Schuhmann, MLIS Student, Pratt Institute
- Evan Shannon, Technical Services Assistant, Martin (Tennessee) Public Library System
- Gracie Sizemore, Circulation Assistant, Lipscomb University
- Angie Taliferro, Assistant Circulation and Reserve Supervisor, William & Mary Libraries
- Summer Thompson, Special Collections Library Assistant, Fisk University
- Sarah Crawford Tucker, Front Desk Supervisor, Tennessee Tech University Libraries
- Dondra Tyson, Administrative Assistant and Timekeeper, Southeastern Louisiana University Libraries
- Michelle Vaughn, Library Assistant III, Tennessee State University
- Danielle Wardell, Library Assistant, Augusta University Libraries
- Kyra Winley, Library Technician, DeKalb County (Georgia) Public Library System
- Kelsey Zuech, User Services Hourly and Work Study Supervisor, University of Arkansas Libraries
The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program supports library and information science workforce development to strengthen library services nationwide. Learn more at IMLS.gov.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
