Director of Mortenson Center for International Library Programs
142 Undergraduate Library
1408 W Gregory Dr.
Urbana, IL 61801
217.244.1898
bjford@uiuc.edu
Previous Position(s)
1998-2002: Assistant Commissioner for Central Library Services, Chicago Public Library.
1991-1998: Professor and Executive Director of University Library Services, Virginia
Commonwealth University.
1996-1997: Acting Vice Provost for Information Technology, Virginia Commonwealth
University.
1986-1991: Associate Professor and Associate Director, Trinity University.
1984-1986: Assistant Director for Public Services, Trinity University.
Spring 1989 and summer 1991: Acting Director of Libraries, Trinity University.
1979-1984: Documents Librarian, University of Illinois at Chicago.
1981-1984: Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago.
1983-1984: Acting Audiovisual Librarian, University of Illinois at Chicago.
1975-1981: Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago.
1975-1979: Assistant Documents Librarians, University of Illinois at Chicago.
1973-1975: Director of Soybean Insect Research Information Center, Illinois Natural History
Survey.
1969-1972: Volunteer, Peace Corps.
Education
1973 - Master of Library Science: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.
1969 - Master of Arts in International Relations: Tufts University, Medford, MA.
1968 - Bachelor of Arts in History: Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL.
Recent Publications
Articles
Ford, Barbara, Karen Wei, Helen Sullivan, and Lynne Rudasill. “Not Just Icing on the Cake,”
College & Research Libraries News, 67/1 (January 2006):10-13.
Ford, Barbara, and Marianna Tax Choldin. “The World at Large.”
American Libraries, 33/9 (2004): 46-50.
Ford, Barbara. “International Public Librarianship.”
Public Libraries, 41/1 (2002): 12.
Anderson, Mary Jane and Barbara Ford. “Taking Care of Business Online.”
American Libraries, 32/6 (2001): 81-84.
Book Chapters
Ford, Barbara, Debra Wilcox Johnson, and Susan Schnuer, 2007.“Developing an International
Library Leadership Institute: Thinking Outside the Borders
” in
Continuing Professional Development: Pathways to leadership in the Library and Information
World, p.40-56.
Ford, Barbara, 2005. “Librarians: Our Reach Is Global and Our Touch Is Local,” in
Perspectives, Insights & Priorities: 17 Leaders Speak Freely of Librarianship, p.
49-54.
Ford, Barbara, 2004. “Global Perspectives on Public Libraries,” in
Introduction to Public Librarianship, p. 265-291.
Ford, Barbara, 2004. “Foreword,” in
Global Librarianship, p. v-vii.
Ford, Barbara, 2002. “Todos son bienvenidos: la biblioteca publica como espacio de
integracion ciudadana,” in
La Biblioteca Publica, Portal de la Sociedad de la Informacion, p. 191-200.
Ford, Barbara, 2001. “La technologia de la informacion y las bibliotecas publicas
norteamericanas: Donde estames y hacia donde vamos?” in
Memoria del Primer Encuentro Internacional sobre Bibliotecas Publicas, p. 157-181.
Editorial Work
Editorial Advisory Board, 2005-present.
Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences.
Editorial Advisory Board, 2005-present.
Information Development.
Advisory Board, 2005-present.
World Libraries.
Editorial Advisory Board, 2004-present.
Libri.
Editorial Advisory Board, 1999-2002.
The Bottom Line: Managing Library Finances.
Recent Presentations
Ford, Barbara.
Seminar on Library Advocacy and Organizational Development, Mbabane, Swaziland: August
14-15, 2007.
Ford, Barbara.
Roundtable Discussion on Leadership within the International Library Context, American
Library, Pretoria, South Africa: August 13, 2007.
Ford, Barbara, “21st Century Library Management.”
Sino-U.S. Librarians Pragmatic Forum, Kunming, China: July 10, 2007.
Ford, Barbara, and Marek Sroka, “Mortenson Center for International Library Programs:
International Librarianship in a Changing World.”
Diffusion and Dissemination of Ideas and Experiences: Issues of International Comparative
Library Science, Krakow, Poland: June 4, 2007.
Ford, Barbara, “Continuing Education for University Librarians in the U.S.A and Sub-Saharan
Africa.”
Diffusion and Dissemination of Ideas and Experiences: Issues of International Comparative
Library Science, Krakow, Poland: June 4, 2007
Ford, Barbara, “The Need for International Library Marketing and Campaigns.”
Netherlands Library Forum, The Hague: April 20, 2007.
Ford, Barbara, “Libraries: Global Reach, Local Touch.”
Simmons College Alumni and Professional Development Day, Boston: March 30, 2007.
Ford, Barbara, “Forging Collaborative Partnerships and Regional Networks.”
IFLA/ALP/WALA International Workshop on Making West African National Library Associations
Functional, Abuja, Nigeria: March 15, 2007.
Ford, Barbara, “Advocacy.”
IFLA/ALP/WALA International Workshop on Making West African National Library Associations
Functional, Abuja, Nigeria: March 14, 2007.
Ford, Barbara, Susan Schnuer and Dawn Cassady, “Revitalizing African University Libraries.”
Poster Session, American Library Association Conference, June 25, 2006, IFLA World Library
and Information Congress, Seoul, South Korean: August 22 and 23.
Ford, Barbara, “Free and Universal Access.”
Workshop on Politics of Digital Divide Concerning Africa, University of Illinois: August
4, 2006
Ford, Barbara, “Managing Change in Libraries.”
Library Week, Kosovo, Pristina: April 5, 2006.
Ford, Barbara, Susan Schneur and Mortenson Associates, “Innovative Public Service Programs in
Libraries Around the World.”
Illinois Library Association Program: October 13, 2005.
Ford, Barbara, “The World Summit on the Information Society.”
Thinking Outside the Borders: Library Leadership in a World Community Institute,
Springfield, Illinois: September 27, 2005.
Ford, Barbara and Susan Schnuer, “Thinking Outside the Borders: Library Leadership in the World
Community.”
Poster Session, American Library Association Conference, June 26, 2005;
World Library and Information Congress, August 16 and 17, 2005;
Illinois Library Association, October 13, 2005.
Ford, Barbara, “Crossing International Borders.”
Public Library Association program, Chicago: June 27, 2005.
Ford, Barbara, “Creating and Maintaining Partnerships.”
Global Studies in Higher Education Workshop, Satellite Conference for Librarians and
Information Specialists, June 22, 2005.
Ford, Barbara and Susan Schnuer, “The World Comes to Illinois.”
Illinois Library Association Reaching Forward Conference, April 15, 2005, Chicago Public
Library All Staff Institute Day, May 4, 2005.
Ford, Barbara, “UIUC Library’s International Strategy.”
ARL Research Library Leadership Fellows Program Institute, Urbana: February 15, 2005.
Ford, Barbara, “What Will You Be Doing Next Year?”
Public Library Association Leadership Development Program, January 15, 2005.
Ford, Barbara, “Community Connections: Advancing LIS Education and Practice Through
Partnership.”
Association for Library and Information Science Education, January 12, 2005.
Ford, Barbara, “Partners and Collaborators: How Librarians Work with Faculty to Assist
with Research and Teaching.”
Keynote Speaker at Conference on the Role of the Library in Meeting the Research and Curricular
Needs of Faculty, Hanoi, Vietnam: December 10, 2004.
Ford, Barbara, Susan Schnuer, and Mortenson Associates, “Bringing the World to Illinois and
Sharing Illinois with the World: The Mortenson Center for International Library Programs.”
Illinois Library Association Conference Program, Springfield: September 30, 2004.
Ford, Barbara, Susan Schnuer and Joe Natale, “Thinking Outside the Borders.”
Illinois Library Association Conference Poster Session, Springfield: September 30,
2004.
Ford, Barbara and Susan Schnuer, “Working with International Partners to Develop Tailored
Professional Development Programs.”
World Library and Information Congress Poster Session, Buenos Aires, Argentina: August 24,
2004.
Ford, Barbara, “Bringing Poland to Peoria: Promoting Global Understanding in Your
Community.”
National Peace Corps Association Conference, Chicago: August 6, 2004.
Ford, Barbara, “International Library Collaborations in a Digital World.”
ALA International Relations Round Table Annual Program, Orlando, Florida: June 28,
2004.
Ford, Barbara and Susan Schnuer, “International Partnerships for Professional Development.”
American Library Association Poster Session, Orlando, Florida: June 27, 2004.
Ford, Barbara, “Professional Development for University Librarians and the Mortenson Center for
International Library Programs.”
Keynote Speaker, International Library Cooperation Symposium, Tokyo, Japan: May 14,
2004.
Ford, Barbara and Mortenson Associates, “Bringing the World to Illinois and Sharing Illinois
with the World: The Mortenson Center for International Library Programs.”
Chicago Public Library All Staff Institute Day, May 5, 2004.
Ford, Barbara, “History Majors Go International.” Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington:
March 5, 2004.
Ford, Barbara, “Library Associations and Empowerment.”
International Leadership Seminar, San Jose, Costa Rica: December 3, 2003.
Ford, Barbara, “Roles for Librarians in the Digital Age.”
LIBCOM-2003, Moscow, Russia: November 18, 2003.
Ford, Barbara, “Connecting Librarians Around the World” and “South Africa Library Leadership
Project.”
Poster Sessions, ALA Annual Conference, Toronto: June 22, 2003.
Ford, Barbara, “Global Reach, Local Touch: Academic Libraries Reach Out.”
ACRL IRC Meeting, ALA Annual Conference, Toronto: June 22, 2003.
Ford, Barbara, “How to Run for ALA Office.”
ALA Nominating Committee Program at ALA Annual Conference, Toronto: June 21, 2003.
Ford, Barbara, Susan Schnuer and Mortenson Associates, “Connecting Librarians Around the
World: The Mortenson Center for International Library Programs.”
On the Front Lines, Springfield, March 18, 2003; Illinois Library Association Annual
Conference, Springfield: October 16, 2003.
Ford, Barbara, “Getting Organized for Accreditation Visits.”
COA Session on Chairing External Review Panels, ALA Midwinter Meeting, Philadelphia:
January 25, 2003; San Diego, January 10: 2004.
Ford, Barbara, “Library Advocacy: Library Associations and the Role of the Librarian in
the U.S. Society.”
Ministry of Culture, Madrid, Spain: November 6, 2002; Cultural Room of el Corte Ingles,
Malaga, Spain: November 7, 2002.
Ford, Barbara, “The Public Library in a Big City: Portal of Access to Knowledge.” College
of Journalists of Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain: November 5, 2002.
Ford, Barbara, “Management and Policies of U.S. Public Libraries.”
Faculty of Library and Information Science, University of Barcelona, Spain: November 4,
2002.
Ford, Barbara, “All Are Welcome: The Public Library as a Space of Civic Integration.”
First National Congress of Public Libraries, Valencia, Spain: October 30, 2002.
Ford, Barbara, “Oh the Places You Can Go.”
Convocation Address, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: May 12, 2002.
Ford, Barbara, “Value of Participating in the Federal Depository Library Program.”
Depository Library Council Meeting, Mobile, Alabama: April 23, 2002.
Ford, Barbara, “Professional Development Opportunities for International Librarians.”
Zayed University Seminar, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: March 31, 2002.
Ford, Barbara, “Library Profession Training and Education” and “Fundraising.”
First Bi-national Discussion Group on Public Libraries, Guadalajara, Mexico: November 29,
2001.
Ford, Barbara, “Libraries in the Global Village.”
Franklin Grove Women’s Club, Franklin Grove, Illinois: November 5, 2001.
Ford, Barbara, “Information Technology and North America Public Libraries.”
First International Conference on Public Libraries, Mexico City: September 26, 2001.
Ford, Barbara and Stephen Mallinger, “Public Libraries and Youth.”
Workshop for Secretary of Public Education, Mexico City: September 24-25, 2001.
Ford, Barbara, “Issues in Librarianship: American Library Association (ALA) Presidential
Perspectives.”
Chicago Public Library Scholars in Residence: November 6 and December 14, 2000.
Ford, Barbara, “Globalization of Information.” Illinois State University Library, Normal:
November 2, 2000.
Ford, Barbara, “Chicago Public Library Enters the Express/Espresso Lane.”
Illinois Library Association, Springfield: October 19, 2000.
Professional Service
American Library Association
American Library Association Council
Association of College and Research Libraries
Public Library Association
Reference and Adult Services Division
Government Document Round Table
International Relations Round Table
Association for Library and Information Science Education
Chicago Library Club
Chicago Library System
Council on Library and Information Resources
Freedom to Read Foundation
Friends of the San Antonio Public Library
Greater State Street Council
Illinois Library Association
Illinois State Library
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
Leadership America
National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges
Printer's Row Book Fair
Richmond Academic Library Consortium
Richmond Public Library
Special Libraries Association
Texas Library Association
U.S. Government Printing Office Depository Library Council
U.S./Mexico Commission on Cultural Cooperation
UCLA Graduate School of Library and Information Science
Virginia State Council of Higher Education
Virginia State Library and Archives and Virginia Library Association
