President-elect Candidate
Video
Current Position:
- Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library (WHSCL), Emory University, Atlanta, GA, Associate Director, 2021 – present.
Previous Positions (Last 15 Years):
- M. Delmar Edwards. M.D., Library, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, Library Manager, Information Services, 2010 – 2021.
- Fay E. Evatt Library, Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, Library Manager, 2002 – 2010.
MLA Official Activities (Last 15 Years)
National:
- Medical Library Association: member 1999 – present;
- Academy of Health Information Professionals: Distinguished, 2020- present;
- Board of Directors (BOD): Director 2021 – 2024;
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (DEI): BOD Liaison 2021 – 2024;
- Vision 2048 Task Force: BOD Liaison 2021 – 2024;
- Professional Recruitment and Retention Committee: DEI Committee Liaison 2024;
- Communities Expense Approval Working Group: member 2023 – present;
- MLA’ 23 Special Program Committee: Collection Development, member 2022 – 2023
- National Program Committee: Co-Chair 2018 – 2021;
- Rising Stars: Mentor 2019 – 2020;
- Community Council: AAMLA member 2019 – 2020;
- Professionalism and Leadership Workgroup: member 2019 – 2020;
- Nominating Committee: member 2018 – 2019;
- Section Project of the Year Award Jury: member 2018 – 2019;
- MLA ’18, Local Arrangements Committee: Volunteer Assistance Chair/Coordinator 2016 – 2018;
- Program Planners: member 2017, 2019;
- Futures Task Force: members 2013 – 2014.
Caucus:
- African American Medical Librarians Alliance, member 2002 – present; Chair-Elect 2024-present;; Mentor 2020 – present; Immediate Past Convener 2019 – 2020; SIG Co-convener 2018-2019.
- Leadership & Management, member 2010–present, Immediate Past-Chair Chapter Council Representative 2017 – 2018, Nominating Committee Chair 2017 – 2018, Chair, Chapter Council Alternate Representative 2016 – 2017, Program Chair 2015 – 2016;
- Medical Informatics, member 2010 – present;
- Health Disparities/Social Justice, member 2017 – present;
- Technology in Education, member 2010 – present;
- Academic Librarians, member 2024 –present;
- Science, member 2024 – present;
- User Experience, member 2024 – present;
- Medical Library Education, member 1998-2010;
- Hospital Libraries, member 1998 – 2010, 2016;
- Consumer & Patient Health Information, member 1998 – 2010, 2016;
- Relevant Issues, member 2016.
Chapter:
- Southern Chapter/Medical Library Association: member 1999 – present; Chapter Council, Alternate 2025; Immediate Past Chair 2017 – 2018, Chair 2016- 2017; Nominating Committee, Chair 2017 – 2018; Strategic Planning, Chair 2017- 2018; Website Administrator/Coordinator 2017 – 2019; Program Chair 2015 -2016, Program Chair-Elect 2014-2015; Professional Development, Co-Chair 2011 – 2013; Program Committee 2013, 2016 – 2017; Paper Session Moderator 2014 – 2015; Hospital Libraries Committee, member 2004, 2010.
Professional Activities (Last 15 Years)
- Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL): member 2010 – present: Program & Education Committee, member 2024 – present; Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee, member 2021 – 2024; NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellow 2013 – 2014.
- NLM, Biomedical Informatics, Library and Data Sciences Review Committee, member 2019-2023.
- Georgia Health Sciences Library Association: member 1999 – present; President 2013 – 2014; Program Chair/Vice President 2012 – 2013; Executive Board, member 2003 – 2015; Legacy Scholarship Committee, Chair 2008 – 2014; Nominating Committee, member 2008 – 2009; Strategic Planning Committee, Chair 2008 – 2014; Treasurer 2003 – 2005.
- Georgia Alliance for Health Literacy: member 2015 – 2019.
- Atlanta Health Science Libraries Consortium: member 1998 – 2017; Nominating Committee, member 2009.
- Atlanta Area Bibliographic Instruction Group: member 2012 – 2021.
- American Medical Informatics Association: member 2007 – 2009.
- Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education: Information Literacy Committee, member 2011- 2021.
- Academic Service(Committees):
- Emory University: Truth, Racial, Healing Circle Practitioner/Group Facilitator 2024 – present; Strategic Planning Task Force, Co-chair, Emory University Libraries(EUL) 2023 – 2024; Assessment Integration Group, EUL, member 2021 – present; Access Services and Policy Committee, EUL, member 2021 – 2024; Black Libraries Professional Group, EUL, member 2021 – present; Marketing and Engagement, Programming Committee, EUL, member 2021 – present; Steering Committee, Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library, (WHSC Library), member 2021- present; Programming Committee, WHSC Library, sponsor/member 2021 – present; Website Committee, WHSC Library, sponsor/member 2021 – present; Digital Signage Committee, WHSC Library, sponsor/member 2022 – present; Social Media Committee, WHSC Library, sponsor/member 2022 – present; Emory Black Employee Network, member 2022 – present; Emory Latinx Employee Resource Network, member 2024-present;
- Morehouse School of Medicine: SACSCOS committee, Information Resources & Library Services, member 2019 – 2021; Graduate Education in Physician Assistant Studies (GEPAS) Committee, member 2018 – 2021; he Writing Collaborative, member 2018 – 2021; MSM E-Mentoring Advisory Board, member 2017 – 2019; Office of Student Learning and Educational Resources, member 2017-2019; â—¦ Graduate Medical Education Committee, member 2013 – 2021); Library Advisory Committee, member 2010 – 2021; Liaison Committee on Medical Education, Information Resources & Library Services, member 2011 – 2012, 2019- 2021.
- Atlanta Medical Center: Health Resources Virtual Library (Tenet), Webmaster 2005 – 2010; Leadership Education Committee, member 2007 – 2010; Hospital Education Committee, member 2004 – 2010; Continuing Medical Education Committee, member 2002 – 2009.
Professional Honors:
- Academy of Health Information Professionals, Distinguished 2020- present.
- Emory University, Emerging Leaders Program, Certificate 2022 – 2023.
- Harvard University, Essential Management Skills for Emerging Leaders, Continuing Education Certificate 2022.
- Morehouse School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Education Committee, Service Award 2021.
- Medical Library Association, President’s Award Recipient 2020.
- Fundamentals of Bioinformatics and Searching/A Librarian’s Guide to NCBI Course, Fellow 2015.
- National Library of Medicine/Associations of Academic Hea.th Sciences Libraries Leadership, Fellow 2013 – 2014.
- Medical Informatics MBL/NLM Course. Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, Fellow 2005.
Education:
- Master of Science in Library Services (MSLS), Clark-Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, 1996
- Bachelor of Science (BS) (Environmental Studies/Biology), Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, 1992
Publications (Last 15 Years):
- Douglas-Williams, Tara, & Franklin, Sandra G. (2024). Mentoring Roles for the Library Manager. P. L. Stephenson & C. B. Joseph (Eds.), Managing Health Sciences Libraries in a Time of Change. Rowman & Littlefield.
- Christine A. Willis, Tara Douglas-Williams & Shannon Glover (2018). Search Smart for Your Health – A Statewide Health Literacy Campaign, Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, 22:1, 1-7, DOI: 10.1080/15398285.2017.1408374
- Ilyse Kramer, Tara Douglas-Williams (2019) 100 Questions & Answers about Lymphoma, Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, 23:2, 175-175, DOI: 10.1080/15398285.2019.1614818
Candidate Questions from the Nominating Committee
Tell us a bit about your skills, qualifications, and why you are interested in serving as MLA President.
I am a knowledge strategist with extensive leadership experience across academic, hospital, and health sciences libraries. My commitment to fostering inclusivity, empathy, and mutual respect has been a cornerstone of my career.
To enhance my leadership capabilities and support others’ development, I participated in programs such as the NLM/AAHSL Leadership Program and Harvard’s Essential Management Skills for Emerging Leaders Program, which provided invaluable insights into effective management within health sciences libraries. Chairing MLA’s Leadership and Management Caucus sparked my passion for association leadership, paving the way for roles like Southern Chapter Chair and MLA Board member, where I actively contributed to committees shaping our profession’s future. I’m continually inspired by our members’ dedication and professional excellence.
Stepping up to lead has consistently defined my MLA service. When the 2021 National Program Committee Co-Chair couldn’t serve, I stepped in and co-led a successful virtual meeting. And, after only a few years in MLA, I embraced the Leadership and Management Chair role. These experiences honed the courage, confidence, and resilience I value in leadership.
MLA’s journey towards greater inclusivity, innovation, and impact calls for me to step up and lead once more, as we work together to advance our shared goals. In these challenging times, I’ll be a compassionate, responsive supporter for all members. I value every contribution and will advocate for MLA to uphold its core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging.
Describe your leadership style and how you will strive to inspire and involve members in decision-making?
My leadership is rooted in empathy and service. I listen intently before acting, prioritizing self-awareness, and extending grace. I strive to create an environment where all voices are heard, valued, and respected, even when directness is indicated.
I will inspire informed decisions through transparency and empowering members with the knowledge they need. I’m prepared to make tough, difficult choices for long-term success, standing firm and taking responsibility for leadership’s challenges.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing MLA and how would you work with the board and members to address it?
MLA currently faces two significant challenges: DEI restrictions and budget cuts affecting institutions, hospitals, and government entities. To support members and engagement, we must strategize proactively. I’ll work with the Board and members to assess and adjust for organizational stability.
What strategic initiatives do you think would be most helpful for ensuring that MLA remains a vibrant and useful association?
In uncertain times, we must remain flexible and able to pivot. It is imperative that we continue to explore opportunities to generate additional funding, while also establishing member listening sessions with the Board that will be transparent, informative, inclusive, and cultivate trust.
We could offer communication skills training, including a mini-TED Talk version for health professionals, as a platform for creativity, innovation, and knowledge sharing, while boosting members’ confidence in public speaking. This could be a revenue-generating opportunity, particularly for those outside the association. Continuing in the vein of fostering knowledge sharing, we could create a technology/data academy focusing on AI, data visualization, and other techniques for effectively communicating our impact.
If elected to be MLA President, how would you demonstrate the value of membership to the organization?
As President, I’ll directly engage members, showcasing MLA’s resources and opportunities through social media. I’ll support all initiatives, reinforcing MLA as your professional home. I’ll lead by example, uplift others, and support your journeys. I see you; I believe in you, I’m here for you.