News and Updates

Sharon Williams receives GLA Paraprofessional Award

Sharon Williams, administrative and technical assistant for South Georgia State College’s (SGSC) Waycross Campus Library, is one of four recipients of the Georgia Library Association’s (GLA) Paraprofessional Award for 2014.

The $250 award will facilitate Williams’s attendance this October at the 2014 Georgia Conference of Media Organizations – the GLA’s annual convention – in Augusta, Ga. In addition, Williams will receive a plaque and a one-year membership in the GLA.

“I was very surprised to learn I had been selected,” said Williams. “I’m grateful for the opportunity because I want to broaden my knowledge of how libraries function. It’s not just about the books. I want to bring back insight to share with and help my other team members.”

SGSC’s Director of Libraries Jacqueline Vickers said she is proud that Williams was selected for the award.

“Ms. Williams consistently provides servant-centered library services,” Vickers said. “I’m excited that she is receiving this well-deserved award, which is a testament to her desire to help our students, faculty, staff, and other library users get the materials and information they need.”

Applicants for the Paraprofessional Award submit a letter outlining their qualifications and a written recommendation from the library administrator describing why the applicant deserves the award.

Although not required, SGSC faculty and staff submitted individual letters of recommendation in support of Williams’s application. Williams said she is grateful to those who wrote a letter of recommendation on her behalf.

According to the GLA’s web site, the Association’s membership includes “more than 800 librarians, trustees, paraprofessionals and friends representing school, public, academic and special libraries.”

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PHOTO: Sharon Williams is one of four recipients of the Georgia Library Association’s Paraprofessional Award for 2014.  Williams is the administrative and technical assistant for the Waycross Campus Library of South Georgia State College.