Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty
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| Born | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
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Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty is an American librarian and administrator. She is an expert in old documents and special collections. She led an organization called the Black Metropolis Research Consortium in Chicago from 2011 to 2013. She also directed collections at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture from 2013 to 2015. From 2021 to 2024, she was the first director of the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. This is the world's largest museum library system. She is currently the Deputy Commissioner for Visual Arts for the City of Chicago.
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Chicago
Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty grew up on the West Side of Chicago. Her mother, Rochelle Weaver, raised her. The Chicago Public Library was a special place for her. It offered comfort and knowledge when she was young. She finished high school at Von Steuben Metropolitan High School in 1988.
College and Library School
Evangelestia-Dougherty went to the University of Houston. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1996. While in college, she worked in law libraries. These were at DePaul University College of Law and South Texas College of Law Houston.
Her experience researching for a high school history fair inspired her. Her supervisors, Tobin Sparling and Beverly Cook, also encouraged her. They helped her decide to go to library school. She attended Simmons College for her master's degree. She focused on rare books, archives, and how to keep old materials safe. She earned her Master of Library Science degree in 2003. During her studies, she worked at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. She also worked at the Yale University Library's Manuscripts and Archives division.
Career Highlights
Starting in Archives
Evangelestia-Dougherty began her career as an archival assistant. She worked at places like Princeton University Library and the Whitney Museum of American Art. In 2003, she became the David N. Dinkins Archivist at the Columbia University Libraries. From 2004 to 2007, she was the Herbert H. Lehman Curator at Columbia.
Leading the Black Metropolis Research Consortium
In 2007, she started working with the Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC). This group works with twelve libraries and museums in Chicago. They focus on Black history. She became the executive director of the BMRC from 2011 to 2013. She helped find and save hidden collections about African American history. She worked with individuals and Black and LGBTQ groups in Chicago. She helped make these collections easier for everyone to see. Her work helped the BMRC win an award in 2013.
Work at Schomburg Center and Cornell
In 2013, she became the director of collections and services at the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. She led five different divisions there until 2015. In 2019, she joined Cornell University Library. She created programs to help people use the university's special collections more.
Directing the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives
In October 2021, Evangelestia-Dougherty became the new director of the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. She was the first person to lead this newly combined system. The Smithsonian Libraries and Archives has 21 branch libraries. These libraries serve the different Smithsonian Institution museums. They hold 3 million books and many historical documents. She finished her role there on October 1, 2024.
Current Role in Chicago
In December 2024, it was announced that Evangelestia-Dougherty would return to Chicago. She became the Deputy Commissioner for Visual Arts. This role is part of the city's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
Teaching and Advocacy
She has also taught at several places. She was a professor at Dominican University from 2007 to 2013. She also taught a course on managing ethnic and cultural collections. She supports using original historical documents in K-12 education. She also works to promote feminist bibliographies. Her work with African American collections has inspired other archivists.
Personal Interests
Evangelestia-Dougherty is an advocate for Food Allergy Awareness. She works with Food Allergy Research & Education. She has also written for Allergic Living magazine.
