LaShonda Campbell, collection development librarian for the Fred J. Taylor Library and Technology Center at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship from HARRASSOWITZ, a German publishing company, to support her attendance at the 2025 Charleston Conference, held November 3–7 in Charleston, South Carolina. The conference is one of the premier international gatherings for library and information professionals.

This year’s conference, centered on the theme “Sailing into the Wind,” brought together thousands of librarians, publishers, scholars and vendors from around the world to discuss emerging trends, challenges and innovations in library science.

As part of the scholarship application process, candidates were required to submit a short essay on the conference theme. Entries were evaluated by a panel of librarians from the University of Chicago and the University of Florida, as well as publishing professionals.

After attending the conference, Campbell emphasized the impact of the experience, stating, “The Charleston Conference is valuable to the Fred J. Taylor Library and Technology Center and me because it provides a rare space for honest, practice-driven discussions about collection development, budgeting, vendor relationships and the real challenges libraries face. Attending allowed me to bring back concrete strategies, new perspectives and informed questions that directly strengthen my work in collection development and my ability to support faculty and students.”

Dan Boice, director of Library at UAM, stated, “LaShonda worked hard to earn the HARRASSOWITZ Charleston Conference Scholarship and took advantage of other avenues to lower the cost of attending the conference. She returned with important new connections with publishers, vendors and colleagues that will serve the library and UAM well.”