Otis D. Alexander, PhD

Department Head, Faculty of Library Science

Dr Otis D. Alexander has directed academic and public libraries in the District of Columbia, Virginia, Indiana, Texas, and Florida. In addition, he has been a library manager in the Virgin Islands of the United States as well in the Republic of Liberia. His research has appeared in Virginia Libraries Journal, Scribner’s Encyclopedia of American Lives, African-American National Biography, Still not equal: expanding educational opportunity in society, ilovelibraries.org as excerpts from his doctoral dissertation, “Public Library Outlets Response to the Poor and Unemployed with Emphasis on Danville, Virginia,” has appeared in Public Library Quarterly. He was commissioned to create original choreography that was set to the work of world renowned poet, Andre Lorde, and performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. His paintings have been exhibited in the nation’s capital, Virginia; and Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan, Egypt. His research interest includes:

• Archival Management
• Library Administration
• Library Services to the Underserved and Underrepresented
• Literature of the Harlem Renaissance
• Openness in Libraries

Dr Alexander has taught the following courses: Controversial Issues in Contemporary American Culture, Children’s Literature, Introduction to African-American Studies, Research Skills, and Harlem Renaissance Literature. He holds a BA in Urban Studies and music, and an MS in Media Science from the University of the District of Columbia. Additional Study:Voice Performance Pedagogy at Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

In addition, he earned an MLS degree in Library & Information Science from Ball State University (Indiana), and his PhD in Library Science from the International University for Graduate Studies. Also, he studied at Harvard Graduate School of Education Leadership Institute for academic Librarians; and Archival Management at Atlanta University School of Library & Information Studies.