The Physics-Astronomy-Mathematics (PAM) Division of SLA is delighted to announce Ms. Martha Nderitu as the 2011 recipient of the PAM International Membership Award. This award is presented to a librarian from the developing world for the purpose of providing an opportunity for active participation in SLA and SLA-PAM.

At the 2011 PAM Business Meeting, IRC Chair Kiem Ta had the following to share: “We talked and went places together for the past couple days and I am glad to report that last night at the International Reception Martha recognized and made connection with two fellow Kenyan librarians at the Reception.” Ms. Nderitu then gave her presentation titled “Internet Connectivity in Resource Centers.”

Ms. Nderitu is currently serving as the Information Resources and Documentation Officer at the Communications Commission of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya. Ms. Nderitu acquires materials in applied technology especially in telecommunications. She catalogs, classifies and assists patrons accessing the library’s collection. She also manages her library’s intranet by uploading related articles and media reviews. In 2010 her library won the first prize, special libraries category, of the Library of the Year Award (LOYA) in Kenya.

Ms. Nderitu was awarded a Masters Degree in Library Science from Kenyatta University and she also acquired further training in the management of electronic libraries from Nisiet, India. The PAM’s International Membership Award is an additional recognition for her library and the Kenya Libraries and Information Services Consortium.

Ms. Nderitu expressed great joy in winning this award and she is excited to learn and to share experiences on improved access to the most current online materials, marketing techniques, and networking with other special librarians.

The PAM Division is pleased to welcome Martha into its membership and glad she could join us in Philadelphia!