March 17, 2025 – Keystone Systems, Inc. and Kansas Talking Books are proud to announce that Natalia Renfro is the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Julie Klauber Award. The Julie Klauber Award, presented by Keystone, is a national award that recognizes a library staff person who uses KLAS as part of their daily job functions and demonstrates outstanding dedication and service to library patrons who are visually impaired / print disabled.
Renfro, a valued team member of the State Library of Kansas’ Talking Books division, expressed her excitement and gratitude upon receiving the award. “Having the opportunity to collaborate and learn firsthand from experienced and knowledgeable KLAS users from across the country will allow me to incorporate new and innovative ideas into my work with Kansas Talking Books,” said Renfro. “I will better understand how KLAS and its resources can further the services and support we already provide for our valued patrons. I will also have the opportunity to meet people who are equally committed to working towards the goal ‘that ALL may read.’”
For Kansas Talking Books, Renfro’s recognition is a significant achievement that will benefit both the organization and its patrons. “Nataly receiving the Julie Klauber Award is an honor,” said Michael Lang, Director, Kansas Talking Books. “Her actions embody what we all strive for at the State Library and Kansas Talking Books—exceptional patron-focused service. This recognition not only highlights Nataly’s personal dedication but our division’s overarching customer service philosophy.”
As part of the award, Keystone Systems will provide Refro a trip to the 2025 KLAS Users’ Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana and will honor her during the conference’s opening general session on Monday, March 17. Lang emphasized the impact attending the conference will provide Renfro, “She will gain invaluable hands-on experience with Keystone staff and fellow KLAS users. “She’s going to come back from Indy with a number of new skills to better serve our patrons,” he added.
Renfro’s colleague, Maggie Witte, who nominated her for the award, echoed these sentiments. “It means so much and I’m so proud of Nataly to receive recognition for her dedication to ensuring patrons have the best library and reading experience with our accessible materials and services,” said Witte. “She works hard to assist our patrons solve their audio player issues with patience and compassion, and she constantly supports the efforts of other Kansas Talking Books staff to provide excellent service.”
Renfro’s passion for accessibility and literacy is deeply rooted in her personal experiences. “Having the opportunity to facilitate access to reading materials and resources for non-English speakers is a lifelong passion of mine,” she said. “Coming from immigrant parents has given me the opportunity to live this truth every day. Literacy is one of the few things in this world that leads to the betterment of the individual, and through each individual, to the community at large.”
As the recipient of the Julie Klauber Award, Renfro will continue her mission to expand access to library services and resources, ensuring that all patrons, regardless of language or ability, receive the highest level of support and service.
For more information about Keystone Systems please visit www.klas.com. To learn more about Kansas Talking Books and its services, please visit https://library.ks.gov/talking-books
About the Julie Klauber Award:
The annual Julie Klauber Award recognizes outstanding and dedicated library staff that work with KLAS in their daily job functions and provide exceptional service to their library and the community in the spirit of Julie Klauber. Klauber was a national expert and leader on disability issues. She served as the director of Talking Books Plus library in Suffolk County, NY, and authored several articles on library resources and services for people with disabilities.
About Keystone Systems:
Keystone Systems, Inc., a leading provider of accessible library software since 1983, provides software and service solutions to libraries with complex demands. Keystone developers have created a powerful, yet elegant library automation system (KLAS), which has the flexibility to meet specific needs of special, academic, and public libraries. For more information about Keystone Systems or KLAS, visit www.klas.com.
