San Jose State University Student to Attend Winter Meeting

Cape Coral, FL, January 12, 2012 — The board of directors of the Robert F. Asleson Memorial ALA Conference Grant has announced this year’s award recipient.  Diane Malmstrom, a student in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University, will receive a $1,500.00 grant to help defray the cost of attending ALA’s 2012 Winter Meeting in Dallas, Texas in January.

The Robert F. Asleson Memorial ALA Conference Grant was established by friends and colleagues within the information industry to honor the memory of Bob Asleson, late founder and president of The Redalen Group, for his many contributions to the library community. An advisor and guide to countless members of the profession, Bob’s 50-year career spanned both traditional and innovative technologies, from reference materials to CD-ROMs to online databases.  He held presidential positions at several leading industry companies and served on numerous organization boards.  The grant’s awards subsidize attendance at the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting and the Annual Conference for deserving Master of Library Science degree candidates.  Winners are selected based on economic need and the quality of an essay based on criteria set by the board.

Diane Malmstrom

Scheduled to graduate in December, 2012, Diane Malmstrom is a single mother living in San Jose, California.  With two college-age children, Diane is pursuing an MLIS degree at San Jose State University while working full time.  In 2010 she received the New Leader Award from the California Library Association Technical Services Interest Group.  Her winning essay has been posted on the grant website.

In accepting the award, Diane said: “I’m very honored to be chosen as the recipient of the Robert F. Asleson Memorial ALA Conference Grant. This grant will allow me to attend my first ALA conference, and begin a new chapter in my professional development. I look most forward to being inspired by the keynote speakers, learning from the expertise of the presenters and conference attendees, and strengthening bonds with library vendors. It’s my hope that this will be the start of many more ALA events to come. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

In awarding the grant Iris Hanney, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, “I know that Bob Asleson would be very interested in Diane’s well thought out essay examining ways in which the availability of digitized primary sources have impacted reference services.  I am extremely pleased to present this award to Diane in Bob’s memory.  We know she will have an outstanding career!”

The board of directors continues to seek both corporate and individual donations in support of the Robert F. Asleson Memorial ALA Conference Grant. It believes that exposure to the programs, seminars, contacts and other conference benefits will foster an on-going love of and dedication to the cause of librarianship in students who otherwise would be unable to attend, reflecting the values exhibited by Bob Asleson throughout his life and long professional career.

Complete details of the grant, including information on donation participation, are available on the website atwww.aslesongrant.org.  Several levels of support are available, and all donations are fully tax-deductible. Additional information may be obtained by contacting:

Iris L. Hanney, Chairman of the Board
Robert F. Asleson Memorial ALA Conference Grant
1930 SW 48th Lane
Cape Coral, FL 33914
239-549-2384
239 549-3168 Fax
info@aslesongrant.org