Wanda Kay Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wanda Kay Brown
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| President of the American Library Association | |
| In office 2019–2020 |
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| Preceded by | Loida Garcia-Febo |
| Succeeded by | Julius C. Jefferson Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | American |
| Education |
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| Occupation | Librarian |
Wanda Kay Brown is an American librarian who helps people find and use books and information. She was the president of the American Library Association (ALA) from 2019 to 2020. The ALA is a big group for librarians in the United States.
Wanda Kay Brown is also the director of the C. G. O'Kelly Library at Winston-Salem State University. This university is one of the nation's historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). She was the first ALA president who was a library director at an HBCU. She has also been the president of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) twice. She led the BCALA from 2006 to 2008 and will lead it again from 2024 to 2026.
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Wanda Kay Brown's Early Life and Education
Wanda Kay Brown grew up in North Carolina. She went to Winston-Salem State University. In 1977, she earned a degree in English there. Later, in 1983, she earned a Master's degree in Library Science. She got this degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her personal story shows how she overcame challenges to succeed.
Wanda Kay Brown's Career as a Librarian
Wanda Kay Brown started her library career in 1977. She worked at Wake Forest University as a library technician. She worked hard and moved up in her job. By 2007, she became the associate director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Library there.
Since 2016, she has been the Director of Library Services. She works at the C. G. O'Kelly Library at Winston-Salem State University.
Brown has been a member of the American Library Association for over 30 years. She has held many important roles in the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). She was the treasurer and a board member. She also served as president of the BCALA from 2006 to 2008. From 2011 to 2013, she was the president of the North Carolina Library Association.
Leading the American Library Association
Becoming ALA President
In early 2018, Wanda Kay Brown decided to run for president of the ALA. The Black Caucus of the American Library Association supported her. Many members signed a petition to help her campaign.
Wanda Kay Brown was elected president of the American Library Association. She served from 2019 to 2020. She won with more votes than her opponent. She made history as the first librarian from an HBCU to be ALA president.
Presidential Messages and Actions
As ALA President, Wanda Kay Brown wrote articles for American Libraries magazine. She talked about how librarians can support important values. She also discussed how libraries can change to better serve people. Brown wrote about how libraries can help immigrants and refugees. She wanted libraries to offer programs that welcome everyone.
In 2020, she wrote a report called "Forward Together." This report suggested ways to make the American Library Association stronger. She also announced that Tracie D. Hall would become the new Executive Director of the ALA.
Brown also wrote about the 2020 census and libraries' role. She said libraries help make sure everyone is counted. This is important for groups that are often missed. These groups include new immigrants and people of color.
Libraries During the COVID-19 Pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic started, libraries had to change. Wanda Kay Brown wrote about how libraries adapted. She shared stories of libraries helping people during the crisis. For example, some libraries offered homework help online. Others helped people apply for small business loans. Some even provided shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
Brown said that libraries needed to work together. She hoped that libraries, communities, and families would all do well. In her last article as president, she looked back at a year of change and hope. She also announced the ALA's support for a statement against violence and racism.
#eBooksForAll Campaign
Under Wanda Kay Brown's leadership, the ALA started a campaign called #eBooksForAll. This campaign spoke out against Macmillan Publishers. Macmillan had planned to limit how libraries could buy eBooks. The campaign aimed to protect the right for people to borrow eBooks from libraries.
2020 Annual Conference Changes
Wanda Kay Brown was the first ALA president in 75 years to have the Annual Conference canceled. The conference was supposed to be in Chicago in June 2020. It was canceled because of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Brown said that the health and safety of everyone was the top priority.
The 2020 conference was changed to an online event. It was called "Community Through Connection." Famous people like Misty Copeland and Natalie Portman spoke at the virtual event. Many people remember Brown's time as president as a very challenging period for the ALA.
Black Caucus of the American Library Association Leadership
Wanda Kay Brown has a long history with the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). She was elected president of the BCALA for 2024-2026. She had previously served as president from 2006 to 2008. She also held roles like treasurer and executive board member for many years.
Selected Writings by Wanda Kay Brown
- "Find Your Place within ALA: Together Let’s Promote the Value of Libraries and the Association."
- "Inclusive by Design: Reevaluating Physical and Virtual Spaces to Address Inequity."
- "Welcoming New Americans: Helping Immigrants and Refugees Thrive with Inclusive Programs and Services."
- "Forward Together: Charting a Path to a More Vibrant and Effective Organization."
- "Don’t Be Counted Out: Libraries, ALA Mobilize for the 2020 Census."
- "Libraries Adapt amid Crisis: Finding Inspiration in Library Workers across the Country."
- "A Year of Change, Loss, Hope: Bidding Many Farewells as I Close My Presidential Term."
Awards and Recognition
Wanda Kay Brown has received several awards for her work:
- 2015: BCALA DEMCO/ALA Black Caucus Award for Excellence
- 2013: University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Education Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award
- 2013: BCALA Leadership Award
- 2012: BCALA Distinguished Service Award
- 2009: University of North Carolina at Greensboro UNCG Kovacs Award for Outstanding Alumni Achievement
