Member Spotlight: Tara Douglas-Williams

Every month (you know, except for those months we missed, but we do try), we would like to take a moment to learn more about a fellow librarian and SC/MLA member. For November, we interviewed the new Chair of Southern Chapter, Tara Douglas-Williams.

Name: Tara Douglas-Williams

SC/MLA Member Since: 1999

Officer/Committee Positions:

• Southern Chapter/Medical Library Association (SC/MLA), member, 1999 – present
• Chair, 2016-2017
• Program Chair, 2015 - 2016
• Program Chair-Elect, 2014-2015, Paper Session Moderator
• Professional Development, Chair, 2012-2013, Co-Chair 2011 –2012, Member, 2011
• Program Committee 2013- 2016
• Nominating Committee, 2006
• Hospital Libraries Committee, 2004

First Professional Position: Systems Librarian, Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center, Atlanta, GA

Current Position: Division Head for Information Services/Library Manager

Education:

B.S., Biology/Natural Sciences, Spelman College

MSLS, Clark-Atlanta University

Favorite website, blog, or twitter feed:

Harvard Business Review: Management Tip of the Day

How did you become interested in medical librarianship?

During Library School, I had an internship at a teaching hospital in downtown Atlanta.  I loved every day I spent there and eventually became a Medical Librarian for the hospital.

What do you love most about your job?

I love that I have a passion for what I do and this assignment (not job) is one of my life’s purposes.

What has been your biggest professional challenge?

Leading in an environment where morale is low and people feel they are not appreciated.

What do you do to recover from a long work week? Massage and Facial

Anything our readers might find surprising about you?

In middle school, I was in our school’s drama group ‘The Premium Players” and we did a PBS show on “How a Bill becomes a Law”.

If you were suffering from amnesia, what five songs would you remember?

1. Ribbon in the Sky – Stevie Wonder
2. Ben – Jackson 5
3. Open Arms – Journey
4. Groovy Kind of Love – Phil Collins
5. True – Spandau Ballet

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

A Pediatrician.  One day, I worked with our family pediatrician and realized, I was not cut-out for clinical care.  There were babies crying all day and I did not realize how strong a 3- year old could be when you are trying to hold them for the doctor to give a shot.  We had to go to the hospital to give a premature baby a blood transfusion and that sealed it for me. NO WAY!