Elizabeth Martinez

Elizabeth Martinez (born April 14, 1948) is an American librarian whose career has focused on bringing diversity, multiculturalism and equality to public libraries and information policy. In 1966 she was the first Mexican American librarian to serve in the state of California. While there, she took a children's literature course for the English requirement, but finding a lack of representation for indigenous people and cultures from around the world in the course she began contemplating how literature from non-European nations can be better disseminated to the masses. In 1966 Martinez received her Master of Arts in Library Science degree from the University of California. Martinez has served on various committees and boards throughout her career and is currently appointed a Commissioner of the New Mexico State Library by the governor. In 2013, REFORMA established the Elizabeth Martinez Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize librarians who have served over 20 years and whose leadership has made significant and lasting contributions to Spanish speaking communities. In 2020 her memoir, Jaguar in the Library. The Story of the First Chicana Librarian, was published by Floricanto Press Hispanic Latino Books.

Selected awards and honors California Library Association, California Library Hall of Fame 2020 Women's Institute for Entrepreneurship Adela Award 2013 ACLU California, Ralph B. Atkinson Monterey County Chapter Award 2013 REFORMA Elizabeth Martinez Lifetime Achievement Award 2013 REFORMA Los Angeles, Elizabeth Martinez Scholarship c.2010 University of Pittsburgh PA School of Information Sciences, Elizabeth Martinez Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship 2006 MANA, A National Latina Organization, Las Primeras Award 1997 Pen West Freedom to Write Award 1993 Hispanic Librarian of the Year 1990 Orange County Women's Alert Award 1990 Orange County Women of Achievement Award 1988 Hispanic Women Recognition Award 1982 Edmund D. Edleman Certificate of Commendation 1977 George I. Sanchez Award from the National Association of Spanish Speaking Librarians 1976