School of Information Sciences

Spectrum Scholar Spotlight: Anthony Martínez

Anthony Martinez

A record fifteen iSchool master’s students were named 2020-2021 Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services. This "Spectrum Scholar Spotlight" series highlights the School's scholars. MS/LIS student Anthony Martínez holds a BS in business administration and marketing from Idaho State University.

Why did you decide to pursue an LIS degree?

I decided to earn my LIS degree in order to become a public librarian and strengthen educational and recreational resources for young people and their families in rural communities like the one where I grew up.

Why did you choose the iSchool at Illinois?

 I chose the iSchool because of its #1-ranked program and top-ranked youth services pathway; positive word of mouth from former students; long history of success with virtual instruction (Leep); and “walk the walk” commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—specifically the tuition waiver for Spectrum Scholars.

What particular LIS topics interest you the most?

I am interested in youth services librarianship, community engagement, comics (advising child and adult readers), international librarianship, and library buildings.

What do you do outside of class?

I work as a producer at NPR member station WBEZ in Chicago. When not at work, I love rock climbing, cycling, and drawing.

What does being a Spectrum Scholar mean to you?

It means the world! Spectrum is ultimately what convinced me to take the leap into librarianship. Without it, I don't think I would have felt like the field would be for me. I can't wait to formally join the community and start sharing my knowledge and experience with my peers and future Spectrum hopefuls.

What career plans or goals do you have?
I would love to become director of a rural public library out West while making time to travel internationally, learning about supporting libraries worldwide. 

Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

Get to know Jade Carthans, BSIS student

Jade Carthans is interested in how human-centered design, machine learning, and data analytics can come together to solve critical problems that impact organizations and individuals. She gained firsthand experience in these areas through internships with Microsoft and State Farm.

Jade Carthans

iSchool faculty and staff present at AISLE annual conference

Join the iSchool for the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE) annual conference, held October 5–7 at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign, Illinois. The theme for the conference is “Libraries Build Connections.”

AISLE awards to be presented to alumni, adjunct lecturer

Carolyn Kinsella (MSLIS '03), Beverly Frett (MSLIS '04), and Adjunct Lecturer Karen Egan have been selected to receive awards from the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE). They will be honored at an awards banquet during the AISLE Annual Conference, which will be held from October 5–7 in Champaign, Illinois.

Ravury selected to serve on Homecoming Court

BSIS student Lauren Ravury has a new item to add to her resume: member of the 2025 Homecoming Court at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Ravury's resume is already impressive. She serves as president of the Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA), an organization dedicated to fostering school spirit at the U. of I. Last year, she served as president of the Asian Pre-Law Association, a stint that led to her receiving the Outstanding Asian & Asian American Undergraduate Student Leader Award from the Asian American Cultural Center and the association being named the 2025 Outstanding Asian & Asian American Student Organization.

Lauren Ravury

School of Information Sciences

501 E. Daniel St.

MC-493

Champaign, IL

61820-6211

Voice: (217) 333-3280

Fax: (217) 244-3302

Email: ischool@illinois.edu

Back to top