SIS student Troy Walker received a scholarship from the Public Library Association (PLA) to attend the organization’s conference March 23-25, 2022, in Portland, Oregon.

To encourage equity, diversity, and inclusion in the library profession, the PLA sponsored 30 general conference scholarships. As the recipient in the Library School Student Scholarship category, Walker will receive complimentary registration to the conference, one year of American Library Association and PLA membership, and a stipend for travel and housing to attend the conference in person.

“I'm very honored to be a PLA 2022 conference scholarship recipient. It's an opportunity to extend my network as a queer library worker, form interpersonal connections with like-minded librarians from all over the country, and gain a deeper sense of professional community and belonging,” Walker said. “Attending this conference will be an invaluable experience and I'm grateful for all I will be able to learn to improve the library communities I am a part of. I am most excited to attend and learn from programs that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in public library spaces.”

Walker is a Graduate Student Assistant (GSA) for the Wayne State University Library System and will graduate with a Master of Library and Information Science next fall. He also works part time at the Orion Township Public Library and hopes to work as an adult or teen services librarian upon graduation.

"Troy's passion, energy, and dedication to libraries make him a much-deserving candidate for a scholarship to PLA,” said GSA Coordinator Katrina Rouan. “I have no doubt he will return with fantastic ideas and new contacts as he continues his professional development."

The PLA Conference is presented by the Public Library Association, the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. In collaboration with its parent organization, the American Library Association, PLA strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. For more information about the PLA Conference visit placonference.org.