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Dr. McCook's nomination for this award was put forward with great enthusiasm by the REFORMA de Florida Chapter who praised her contributions to the Latino community of Florida, in particular her efforts with migrant workers, as well as her efforts to recruit students from underrepresented groups. Dr. McCook's professional contributions including academic research and organization of the Trejo Institute in Tampa in 1999 are also recognized. Dr. Kathleen de la Peña McCook is a nationally known researcher in the field of library and information science. Her published works include many titles which reflect her dedication and efforts to promote library services to Spanish speaking and Latino populations such as Library Services to Youth of Hispanic Heritage which she co-edited in 2000. Dr. McCook's work with REFORMA includes membership on the Board of Directors in 1997-98 and leadership of the Committee for the 4th National Institute of the Trejo Foster Hispanic Library Education Foundation, held in Tampa, Florida in 1999. Additionally, as expressed by two of her colleagues, Vicki Gregory and Derrie Perez, of the University of South Florida, "Probably her most outstanding achievement in respect to her community building initiatives was an invitation from the President of the American Library Association to speak on the President's Program at the ALA annual conference in July 2000. Approximately 5,000 people attended this program at which Kathleen spoke on the topic, 'To Live in a Community is not a Matter of Choice but a Calling'." Dr. McCook's career in library education has had a strong impact on the graduate program of the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Florida. According to a study published by Library Quarterly, she is ranked among the nation's top 20 researchers in the field of Library Science. Her efforts to provide educational and employment opportunities for Latino students have been tireless. As one of the founders of the ALA Spectrum Scholarship Program for Minority Students she has seen the fruition of her efforts in leadership and mentoring of underrepresented groups in librarianship. Current research continues to reflect a commitment to equal access
as Dr. McCook is preparing a new book on information equity for the American
Library Association. This outstanding record of achievement and leadership
merits the honor of receiving the award of REFORMA's 2002 Arnulfo D. Trejo
Librarian of the year. |
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