Barbara Alvarez

Dr. Barbara Alvarez is an award-winning librarian and scholar who has specialized in community engaged librarianship for over 15 years. Specifically, her research focuses on abortion information, information democracy, and information ethics.

Dr. Alvarez received her PhD in Information Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she was trained in community-engaged research principles. Barbara conducted interdisciplinary research with the Collaborative for Reproductive Equity. Additionally, she conducted the first national study on sexual and reproductive health information in public libraries. She is currently investigating information ethics, access, and privacy with Library Futures.

Barbara is the author of two books with ALA Editions, most recently The Library’s Guide to Sexual and Reproductive Health Information. She is currently writing Community Engagement for Libraries: Strategies and Approaches with Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited. Dr. Alvarez is a professor at the University of Southern California (USC).