Kino Lorber EDU/Video Round Table Annual Scholarship Recipient

Regina's Journey......

As the ALA turns 50, I have to admit that I reached that milestone in 2018. My goal of having a college degree at 50 will have been enriched by having not only earned my undergrad degree but also my MLIS from Valdosta State University - that's assuming I graduate before October 2019 of course! I hesitated at the thought of pursing an advanced degree as an older non-traditional student, especially knowing the financial demands that grad school would entail, but receiving the 2018 Kino Lorber EDU/Video Round Table Annual Scholarship changed a lot for me. Financially, the funds are helping me keep up with technology by allowing me to upgrade my computer and purchase video editing software - software needed to produce professional book trailers, instructional demos, and library tour videos for my MLIS classes. Career-wise, winning the scholarship clarified something I was unsure of: I didn't know how or if my previous career in the entertainment industry would benefit my role as a librarian. The recognition of my interests in film archiving, diversity in film, and film history by Kino Lorber and the VRT reinforced my desire to incorporate my LIS skills with my work experience in digital media and create new opportunities to serve others. The additional scholarship award benefit of attending a film festival in New York will also give me greater exposure to current trends in the portrayals of diversity in film, and it will also allow others to see that librarians work with more than just books!