Otis R. Anthony African Americans in Florida Oral History Project
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Interviewer
Sherri Anderson
Publication Date
4-20-2011
Date
2005-11-09
Abstract
Oral history interview with Darlene Harris, a librarian with the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System. Harris was born in West Tampa in 1960 and attended local schools, including the University of South Florida, where she majored in social work. She did an internship at the Tampa Housing Authority, but transferred to the library system as a library assistant. Harris quickly worked her way up the paraprofessional ranks and was encouraged to go to library school for her MLS, which she did. In 1996, two years after getting her degree, she became a branch manager. In 2000, she became principal librarian for the Urban Libraries. Harris is extremely interested in collaboration and partnership, which is especially beneficial for the Urban Libraries and their patrons. She has also contributed to several local history projects, including the libraries' Central Avenue Oral History Project. In this interview, Harris recounts her childhood experiences in West Tampa and describes some of her accomplishments in the library system. She also discusses her religious faith, which she cites as the source of these accomplishments.
Keywords
African American librarians, Blacks, African American women librarians, African Americans and libraries, Libraries and community, Library outreach programs, Libraries and metropolitan areas, Social life and customs, Housing Authority of the City of Tampa (Fla.)
Extent
01:07:48; 32 page transcript
Subject: geographic
Hillsborough County (Fla.); Tampa (Fla.); West Tampa (Fla.)
Language
English
Digital Date
2011
Media Type
Oral histories
Format
Digital only
Identifier
A31-00091
Recommended Citation
Harris, Darlene, "Darlene Harris Oral History Interview" (2011). Otis R. Anthony African Americans in Florida Oral History Project. 67.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/otis_anthony_ohp/67
Rights Statement
