Eight iSchool master's students have been named 2025–2026 Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association. This "Spectrum Scholar Spotlight" series highlights the School's scholars. MSLIS student Nathaniel Allen Pila earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Mount Holyoke College.
Why did you decide to pursue an LIS degree?
LIS aligns very closely with my values of freedom of speech, pursuit of knowledge, and community building. An LIS degree is highly applicable to multiple fields, but the main reason I decided to pursue this degree is that I was ready to fully commit to librarianship as a profession.
Why did you choose the iSchool at Illinois?
I chose the iSchool because a colleague who is an alum recommended it for its flexible curriculum. I have many years of experience working at a library, and I didn’t want to be forced into taking classes in areas that I already knew about. At Illinois, I get to take classes on subjects that I don’t have much knowledge or experience in, exposing me to areas of LIS that I am unfamiliar with.
Which particular LIS topics interest you the most?
I have recently become very interested in topics surrounding accessibility, particularly in virtual spaces. I barely knew anything about digital accessibility before starting at the iSchool, and now it is something I will gladly talk about for hours. I also enjoy discussions about the current state of libraries, how important our institutions continue to be in society, and how to adapt to the ways the world is changing. In my second year of the program, I would really like to take more classes centering on digital and data curation.
What do you do outside of class?
I have a lot of hobbies that I engage in when I am not in class or working. I recently got into Ted Lasso, so I've been watching that as if my life depended on it. Inspired by the second season of the show Fallout, I have also been playing a modded, much more improved version of Fallout: New Vegas on my PC. In February, I saw Margaret Cho live and the night after that, I saw Joey Valence & Brae in concert. My all-time favorite hobby, though, is giving many kisses and pets to my cat Pascal.
What does being a Spectrum Scholar mean to you?
To me, being a Spectrum Scholar is about fostering community and creating legacy. Representation, especially now, is so important and I'm honored that I get to be a part of this group that is changing how the LIS field looks.
What career plans or goals do you have?
Once I graduate, I would really like to work in some kind of special library. I am currently in public librarianship and like it a lot, but I want to see what else is out there in the LIS world! Regardless of where I work, I want to focus on the digital aspect of information and apply accessibility principles in a constantly changing information landscape.