Meaghan E. Davidson Selected as the 2021 Tony B. Leisner Scholarship Recipient

The American Library Association (ALA) has selected Meaghan E. Davidson of McDonough, Georgia as the recipient of the 2021 Tony B. Leisner Scholarship.

The $3,000 scholarship, named for an active ALA member and former member of the ALA Council, is awarded to a library support staff member pursuing a master’s degree in library and information studies.  The scholarship was established with funds donated by Leisner.

Davidson taught English to elementary and junior high school students in Japan for more than three years. She hopes to continue working with young people to motivate them to continually learn and grow. Currently, Davidson works as a library assistant at Cochran Public Library (Stockbridge, GA).

Davidson’s references raved about her attributes. One person commented that “She has an ability to adapt to change well, and to keep pushing herself even when the odds appear to be difficult to overcome. Her combination of intelligence, commitment, perseverance, creativity, and compassion will certainly make her a valuable future librarian.” Another person said, “She is driven, capable, and highly skilled. She constantly thinks about how her experiences relate to various aspects of culture and society, which in turn allows her to make valuable connections with the people she serves.” Yet another person pointed out that “She is an accomplished library worker already.  Even before she began working at our library, she was a dedicated volunteer. She was given leadership roles without hesitation. She led teens in crafting, book talks, and gaming events. She assisted with baby lapsit and story-time events. When others might have been overwhelmed, as a volunteer, she showed initiative to help patrons and staff, always with a smile on her face. Our library is better equipped because of her.”

Davidson attends Valdosta State University (Georgia).

For information on the ALA Scholarship program, visit our scholarship page.

The ALA Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR) manages the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse.