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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

CONTACT: Christi Buker, PA Library Association Executive Director

717-766-7663 or christi@palibraries.org  

PA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES 2 MEMBERS WITH 2025 CERTIFICATES OF MERITS 

Rebecca Dzikowski of the Weinberg Memorial Library at the University of Scranton and Dr. Roseanne Perkins of Kutztown University.

Mechanicsburg, PA (September 30, 2025) – Each year, the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) honors the service of their members, as well as those community volunteers, who go above and beyond the call of duty to support the work of libraries throughout the commonwealth.

 On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, three members of the Association were honored with Certificates of Merit.

 Certificates of Merit are awarded to individuals making outstanding contributions during the last five years in Pennsylvania.

This year’s winners are Rebecca Dzikowski, Cataloging Assistant of the Weinberg Memorial Library at the University of Scranton, and Dr. Roseanne Perkins, Associate Professor at Kutztown University.

Since joining the Pennsylvania Library Association in 2018, Rebecca Dzikowski has made strong contributions including serving as Northeast Chapter 2023 Membership Committee representative, assisting with the editing of the Bulletin as part of the Publications Committee, actively participating in the Technical Services Round Table, as well as serving on the College and Research Division Board as a 2025 Member-at-Large.

Most notably she has been an integral part of the Mentorship Program subcommittee since 2020 including serving chair since 2024. Her leadership in this area led to improvements that allow association members to more easily foster and maintain mentoring relationships.

Rebecca began her library career in public libraries where she performed reference and cataloging services. She moved to Pennsylvania and began her academic library career in 2017 at the Weinberg Memorial Library as a part-time Library Metadata Specialist and then in 2019 transitioned to a full-time position as a Cataloging Assistant. Rebecca repeatedly goes above and beyond, volunteering for roles outside of her standard duties, including stepping into a part-time Reference Librarian role during a critical staffing shortage which ensured the continuity of essential public-facing services.

With sincere gratitude for her dedicated service to the Association, commitment to her community, and outstanding contributions that have positively impacted Pennsylvania library employees, the Pennsylvania Library Association awards Rebecca Dzikowski this Certificate of Merit.

Dr. Roseanne Perkins is a dedicated member of the Pennsylvania Library Association. Her many contributions to the Association include continuous service as Treasurer of the Lehigh Valley Chapter since 2019. Additionally, she served on PaLA Teaching, Learning and Technology Round Table Planning Committee from 2018-2020. Most recently, Dr. Perkins has assumed the role of co-editor for Pennsylvania Libraries: Research & Practice, an open access, peer-reviewed journal. In addition to her service to our state association, she is an active member of several professional groups including: the American Library Association, the American Association of School Librarians, the Association of Library Service to Children,

Dr. Perkins received her Master of Library Science in 1999 and began her library career as a children’s librarian. She worked in various public library roles in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania before joining the faculty at Kutztown University 2011. In addition to her MLS, Dr. Perkins also holds an M.Ed. in Art Education and a Ph.D. in Teaching,

Learning, and Technology. In 2022, she was promoted to Associate Professor and now leads the library science program as well as teaches many of the foundational courses. As quoted in the university newspaper, Dr. Perkins says her favorite part of working with students is “passing along knowledge and enthusiasm for libraries with people who are equally excited. And a piece of me gets to be in all the libraries my students go to.” Dr. Perkins is an active scholar, presenting at conferences, authoring or co-authoring several peer-reviewed articles as well as a book. Her research focuses on children’s literature and makerspaces.

With sincere gratitude for her passion for service to the Association, commitment to her work shaping the minds and ethics of future librarians, her eagerness to learn and share knowledge, and willingness to get involved, the Pennsylvania Library honors Dr. Roseanne Perkins with this 2025 Certificate of Merit.

“Congratulations to our 2025 award winners! They remind us of what’s possible when passion and service come together,” said Karla Trout, 2025 Pennsylvania Library Association President. “I’m so proud of their accomplishments and deeply grateful for their willingness to share their time and talents so generously. I invite all Pennsylvania Library Association members to join me in the celebration of their success.”

A committee comprised of association members reviews the nominations submitted in late summer and selects winners for a series of categories.

“Working in libraries can be both extremely challenging with limited funds as well as profoundly meaningful when we see the joy of readers and patrons valuing library services.” said Pennsylvania Library Association Executive Director Christi Buker. “The Pennsylvania Library Association brings together the library community for advancement of both individuals and libraries. These awards bring important attention to outstanding individuals who make a positive impact both in their individual libraries, and across the state. Our 2025 award winners are top-notch professionals that are highly deserving of this recognition. We hope everyone will join us in congratulating them!”

Founded in 1901, the Pennsylvania Library Association is the state's oldest and most diverse professional library organization serving libraries, library employees, library trustees, and Friends of the Library groups.

PaLA represents more than 1,300 personal, institutional, and commercial members affiliated with public, academic, special, and school libraries throughout the commonwealth. The association represents the profession in Harrisburg with the state legislature and provides opportunities for professional growth, leadership development and continuing education for librarians.

For a listing of previous award winners, click here. For more information about the work of the Pennsylvania Library Association, visit www.palibraries.org.

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