Atlanta University Library CEO Loretta Parham Announces Retirement

Loretta Parham, chief executive officer and director of the Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, has announced her retirement at the end of this academic year after 19 years of service. The Atlanta University Center is the largest consortium of historically Black colleges and universities, including Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, and the Interdenominational Theological Center. Over her nearly two decades-long tenure, Parham has advanced access to library resources for the over 9,000 scholars within the Atlanta University Center. Her accomplishments have strengthened both the library’s infrastructure and reputation. Under her leadership, the library has received more than $26 million in funding, renovated its physical spaces, enhanced its holdings and resources, increased staffing, and created the Walter Sessoms Scholarship for Atlanta University Center students. Parnham also co-founded the HBCU Library Alliance and served as its inaugural board chair. Parham’s contributions to the Woodruff Library resulted in awards for the library and herself. In 2016, the Association of Colleges and Research Libraries selected the Woodruff Library as the Academic Library of the Year. The association also named Parham the Librarian of the Year. She also received a distinguished alumni award from the University of Michigan School...