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Tamika Barnes is a distinguished American academic librarian and library leader who, in April 2026, was elected to serve as the President of the American Library Association (ALA), the world’s largest professional organization for librarians for the 2027–2028 term. Currently serving as the President of the Georgia Library Association (GLA) and the Associate Dean of Perimeter College Library Services at Georgia State University, Barnes has dedicated over two decades to the library profession.
Contents:
- Education and Early Career
- Leadership at Georgia State University
- Service to the American Library Association
- ALA Presidency and Vision
- Awards and Recognition
- Legacy and Impact
- See Also
- References
Education and Early Career
Barnes began her academic journey at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a BA in Biology (1997). She transitioned into information science at North Carolina Central University, receiving her Master of Library Science (MLS) in 1999.
Her professional career spans various sectors of librarianship:
- Engineering Services Librarian: Started her career at North Carolina State University in 1999.
- Head of Reference: Served at North Carolina A&T State University beginning in 2003.
- Government Service: Worked as the Library Director for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) library in Research Triangle Park.
Leadership at Georgia State University
In her role as Associate Dean for Perimeter College Library Services, Barnes provides strategic leadership for library facilities across five campuses. She manages services that support student success, research, and community engagement for thousands of students in metro Atlanta. Before the consolidation of Georgia Perimeter College with Georgia State, she served as the Library Director for the Dunwoody campus.
Service to the American Library Association
Barnes has a long history of deep involvement within the ALA, marked by a focus on fiscal responsibility and inclusion:
- President-Elect (2026–2027): Elected in April 2026, defeating opponent Becky Calzada to lead the world's largest library association.
- Executive Board & Council: Served on the ALA Executive Board (2018–2021) and the ALA Council for multiple terms.
- Financial Stewardship: Chaired the Budget Analysis and Review Committee (BARC) for the 2024–2025 term, a critical role during the association’s recent fiscal transformations.
- Advocacy & Diversity: A 1998 Spectrum Scholar herself, she has spent years on the Spectrum Advisory Committee, advocating for representation and equity within the profession.
ALA Presidency and Vision
Elected in 2026 as ALA president-elect, Barnes will lead the association during the 2027–2028 term. In this role, she is expected to guide strategic priorities and serve as a national advocate for libraries, intellectual freedom, and equitable access to information.
Her leadership emphasizes:
- Advocacy for libraries and library workers
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion
- Protection of intellectual freedom and the “freedom to read”
- Strengthening libraries as essential civic institutions
Barnes has highlighted the importance of collaboration, transparency, and responsiveness in addressing challenges such as censorship, funding pressures, and technological change in the information landscape.
Awards and Recognition
Her contributions have been recognized with several prestigious honors:
- UCLA Library Senior Fellow (2024): A prestigious program for top-level library administrators.
- GLA Bob Richardson Award: For outstanding service to the Georgia library community.
- Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA) Library Advocacy Award: Recognizing her commitment to promoting library services to diverse populations.
- Leading Change Institute Fellow: Highlighting her role as a visionary in the evolving digital landscape of information.
Legacy and Impact
Tamika Barnes is widely regarded as a collaborative and forward-thinking leader in library and information science. Her election to the presidency of the American Library Association marks a significant milestone, positioning her to shape the future of libraries at a time of rapid social and technological transformation.
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