Ms. Kelsa Bartley, a student in the Master of Science in Information program (MSI’18) at Florida State University, is the winner of the 2018 Smiley Travel Award, sponsored by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). The award gives Bartley a $500 stipend to attend the 3rd National Joint Conference of Librarians of Color (JCLC), September 26-30, 2018, Albuquerque, NM. The winner is chosen via an essay contest, with essays are judged by a review committee within BCALA.

Kelsa wrote a brief essay on the theme “Gathering all Peoples: Embracing Culture & Community.” She will be formally introduced at the Awards event in Albuquerque.

BCALA is a nonprofit organization for different areas of librarianship, including school, public, academic, and special, with national and international membership. It also provides game-changing leadership for the recruitment and development of African American education and information professionals. It is one of five ALA ethnic affiliates and advocates for promoting and improving library services to diverse populations and communities of color. In addition, BCALA has sponsored literary awards for African American authors since 1994 and is also a sponsor of the prestigious Coretta Scott King Book Awards.