SAGE and ALA Announce 2014 Peter Lyman Memorial Scholarship Winner

Los Angeles, CA - SAGE and the American Library Association today announce Samuel Dodson as the recipient of the 2014 Peter Lyman Memorial/SAGE Scholarship in New Media and a travel grant to the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. A recent graduate of Lewis and Clark College, Dodson will begin a duel Master of Archival Studies and Master of Library and Information Studies this fall at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

Dodson was chosen as the winner of the Peter Lyman Memorial scholarship based on his academic achievements, leadership qualities, and involvement with his community library. As an intern at Longview Public Library, he maintained an online database of thousands of cultural and historical item and led a digital literacy program for K-12 students in his community which became the largest program in the library.

“My journey to librarianship has been serendipitous. In college, I studied computer science and worked as a researcher in an artificial intelligence lab. Through these experiences, I developed a great appreciation for the importance of information access,” commented Dodson.  “Receiving this award strengthens my belief in the importance of embracing technology in the profession. I look forward to beginning my studies and continuing the pioneering work of Professor Lyman.”

The Peter Lyman Memorial/SAGE Scholarship in New Media was created in memory of Peter Lyman, former university librarian and professor emeritus of the School of information at the University of California, Berkeley. Lyman’s research focused on online information, ethnographic analyses of online social relationships and communities, and bringing university librarians into the digital era. He was one of the first scholars to work with computer companies to design information technology appropriate for research and teaching.  

“Peter Lyman’s scholarly work reflected an effort to improve the world and the lives of others. SAGE and ALA created this scholarship to honor his legacy and to support those who continue to transform libraries in an evolving digital era,” said Michele Sordi, Vice President of Editorial at SAGE. “We are delighted to honor future library leaders in new media and congratulate Mr. Dodson for this deserved recognition.”

“I see the challenge of integrating technology into library and information studies as one of the most exciting opportunities today. I hope to use my computational skills to explore how digital modalities can enrich information access and learning,” Dodson continued.” I am very honored to be selected for the Peter Lyman Memorial Scholarship.”