Professional Summary

Hello and welcome!  I'm Tonia Williams, a passionate librarian,  teacher & griot (storyteller) dedicated to fostering education and empowering voices.  My goal is to create a friendly and approachable environment where everyone feels welcome to learn and grow.

As a reference librarian at Calvert Library and an MLIS candidate at the University of Southern Mississippi, I approach librarianship as both an educational and community-building practice.  My work bridges instruction, access, and advocacy, empowering patrons to discover, evaluate, and apply information with confidence.  Experience in both children’s and adult services has honed my ability to teach flexibly and compassionately, adapting to diverse learning styles and needs.

My research on Maryland public library partnerships with correctional facilities deepened my commitment to social justice and equitable access, reinforcing my belief that libraries are transformative spaces for all.  Living with fibromyalgia has further shaped my empathy and focus on accessibility in every interaction.

I am dedicated to fostering lifelong learning, inclusive programming, and collaborative problem-solving, creating library environments where curiosity thrives and every user feels valued.