James F. Williams facts for kids

James F. Williams II is a retired American librarian who spent many years helping people find information and learn. He was the head librarian, also known as the Dean of Libraries, at the University of Colorado at Boulder for a long time, from 1988 until 2017.

Who is James F. Williams II?

James F. Williams II is known for his important work in libraries across the United States. He helped make libraries better places for students and researchers. He worked for almost 30 years at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Early Life and Education

James Williams studied sociology at Morehouse College, earning his first degree in 1966. Sociology is the study of how people live together in groups. Later, he earned a master's degree in library science from Atlanta University. This degree taught him how to manage and organize libraries. His wife, Nancy Allen, is also a librarian. She is the head librarian at the University of Denver.

Leading University Libraries

As the Dean of Libraries at the University of Colorado at Boulder, James Williams was in charge of all the university's libraries. He made sure students and professors had the books, articles, and resources they needed for their studies and research. He helped these libraries grow and become more modern.

Helping Libraries Grow

Mr. Williams was also involved with many important groups that support libraries. He was on the board of directors for the Association of Research Libraries. This group helps big research libraries work together and improve. He also led a committee that helped shape rules and ideas for libraries from 2010 to 2013.

He helped advise the School of Information Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. This school teaches people how to work with information and technology. He also advised the libraries at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a very famous science and technology school. He was part of a group that supports libraries at Washington University in St. Louis. James Williams also helped guide the Denver Art Museum as a trustee.

Awards and Recognition

James Williams received special honors for his dedication to libraries. In 2002, the American Library Association gave him the Melvil Dewey Medal. This award is given to librarians who have done amazing work in their field. It recognized his "distinguished service" to libraries.

In 2017, the Colorado Association of Libraries honored him with their Career Achievement Award. This award celebrated his long and successful career and all the great things he accomplished as a librarian.