Morgan Rose Pershing, a Petaluma resident, was honored on Nov. 11 at the annual California Library Association (CLA) conference. For her service to the association and to California libraries, Pershing was named “CLA Member of the Year” for 2018.

In announcing the award, CLA listed Pershing’s many accomplishments and called her, “an outspoken advocate for all things library.”

Pershing has been a member of CLA since 2010. “It’s nice to be honored by an organization that has offered me so many opportunities,” said Pershing. “I feel so honored to be part of a helping profession and having my peers recognize me means a great deal to me.”

Pershing has been involved in CLA’s Summer Reading Council for four years, an effort that encourages people to keep reading during summer vacations. She has also been involved in adult reading services groups, serves on the advisory council for the California Center for the Book and is a professor at San Jose State University’s iSchool, which offers a Master of Library and Information Science degree.

Pershing is the Adult Services Administrator for the Sonoma County Library. Before coming to SCL, she worked in library services for 11 years, including a stint as the Community Library Manager on Catalina Island.

Sarah Vantrease, Public Services Division Manager for the Sonoma County Library, said: “Morgan’s work reaches and engages adults of all ages. She helps people learn and have fun at their library.”