CLA Robert Karatsu Conference Scholarship

Invest in your professional journey — we’ll help with the costs.

The California Library Association (CLA) is offering Robert Karatsu Scholarships to help members attend the 2025 CLA Annual Conference in Riverside, California — October 23-25, 2025.

This is your opportunity to participate fully in an inspiring conference experience, connect with colleagues, and grow your leadership potential — with a little financial help from CLA.

Up to five CLA Members will each be awarded $1000 to help cover conference-related expenses. (BTW, you do realize we will cover your conference registration as long as you are a CLA member in good standing!)

In addition, award recipients will be invited to a special meeting with CLA Leaders — past and present — to discuss professional goals, leadership development, and ways to stay engaged with the association.

Eligibility:

• Must be a current CLA Member in good standing
• Must attend the 2025 CLA Conference in person
• Awardees are also encouraged to give back to CLA through participation in Interest Groups, Committees, Board candidacy, or volunteer opportunities.
  

How to Apply:
Complete the online application here: The application period is now closed for 2025.

Application Deadline: The application period is now closed for 2025.
Notification: Winners will be notified by August 7, 2025.

Questions? Contact Shawn Thrasher, sthrasher@ontarioca.gov.

2025 Scholarship Recipients

Jennifer Perez Lara

Jennifer Perez Lara is a proud first-generation Latina who is currently pursuing her MLIS at San Jose State University. She graduated from UC Riverside with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, and is currently working at MiraCosta College as a part-time Library Technician. She is passionate about working with first-generation students, so she hopes to continue working in this population in an academic library setting. She is also passionate about serving Spanish-speaking communities, and wants to continue fostering environments where vulnerable students feel welcome and comfortable seeking library services. She is going to be serving on LSP (Library Services Platform) Circulation Workgroup under the California Community Colleges system, and hopes to gain a better understanding of how committees/workgroups work in a library setting. She is very thankful to everyone who contributed to this scholarship, as she would not have been able to attend this conference without financial assistance.

Britt Navarro, Long Beach Public Library

Britt Navarro is a second-year student in the Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS) program at the University of Southern California. They serve as a Library Assistant in Youth Services at the Long Beach Public Library and as a Library Clerk at the Cerritos Library. Their work reflects a strong commitment to community-centered librarianship, with a special focus on supporting multilingual readers and fostering inclusive spaces where diverse voices and languages are celebrated. 

Beyond their academic and professional roles, Britt enjoys exploring new food places, keeping up with fashion trends, and reading romance novels, interests that fuel their appreciation for creativity and diverse forms of storytelling. They look forward to continuing their growth in the field and contributing to innovative, equitable library services.

Krosheska Portillo, Los Angeles Public Library

Krosheska is currently a MLIS student at the University of Southern California and a bilingual library and administrative professional with more than a decade of experience across public libraries, city services, and hospitality. In her current role as a Library Assistant with the Los Angeles Public Library, she supports the New Americans Initiative, supervises clerical staff, and helps deliver efficient, high-quality service to diverse communities. Krosheska is committed to fostering inclusive, welcoming environments where patrons can easily access resources. Her bilingual skills strengthen connections with multicultural communities, ensuring that language is never a barrier to service. Passionate about public service and community engagement, she is dedicated to bridging information gaps, advancing digital equity, and promoting lifelong learning. Her expertise includes bilingual communication, library services, office administration, community programming, budgeting, supervisory support, and hospitality.

Starla Villalba, Ontario City Library

Fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a librarian, Starla Villalba is an Adult Services Librarian at the Ontario City Library, where she loves to bring services/programs that bring people together, spark curiosity, and celebrate community. A lifelong reader, she loves sharing the joy of books and stories that inspire, encourage conversation, and reflect the diverse voices of the people she serves.

Starla currently chairs the California Library Association’s Adult Services Interest Group and is the co-chair and co-founder of the All Abilities Interest Group. These groups provide a space for library professionals to connect, share ideas, and build inclusive services. Starla enjoys collaborating with local organizations to offer events and resources that make the library a vibrant hub for connection and creativity.

With an MLIS from Syracuse University and a background in business management and customer service, Starla blends creativity with a people-first approach to building meaningful connections in her community.