Tamara King Takes the Helm at Richland Library
Tamara King will soon lead the Richland Library system as its new executive director. She is the first Black person to hold this role at the nationally recognized institution. Her appointment follows a nationwide search and will take effect on August 24, 2025.
The Richland Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously for King’s selection. Board chairperson Erin Johnson praised her leadership, saying King has been “instrumental in driving strategic initiatives and creating accessible spaces for all Richland Library customers.”
King will succeed Melanie Huggins, who served as executive director for 15 years. The library is confident that King will continue its legacy of innovation and community service.
A Proven Leader in Equity and Engagement
Before this appointment, King served as Richland Library’s chief equity and engagement officer. In that role, she led major programs like the “Let’s Talk Race” curriculum and sensory-friendly initiatives. She also helped design inclusive spaces that reflect Richland County’s diversity.
Her work has strengthened the library’s role as a hub for connection, learning, and cultural exchange. Johnson noted that King’s “expertise in public library leadership and community engagement will further elevate Richland Library’s national reputation for excellence.”
King brings more than 25 years of experience in public libraries, broadcast journalism, and strategic communications.
Strong Educational and Professional Background
King is a double graduate of the University of South Carolina. She earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism in 2000 and a master’s in library and information science in 2014. She also holds Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), a credential that underscores her communication expertise.
Her career accomplishments have earned her multiple honors. In 2024, The Post and Courier named her one of “South Carolina’s 12 Black Leaders to Know.” She was also recognized as a 2019 Library Journal Mover & Shaker.
She currently serves on the board of directors for the Public Library Association and is a 2024 Riley Fellow through Furman University’s Diversity Leadership Initiative.
Deep Community Roots and National Recognition
King’s connection to the Richland County community runs deep. She graduated from Manning High School in 1996, and her career has been anchored in serving people from all walks of life.
Lyda Fontes McCarten, director of USC’s School of Information Science, called King’s selection “a celebration of both Tamara’s exceptional qualifications and our program’s continued influence in developing outstanding library leaders.”
With her focus on equity and engagement, King’s leadership is expected to further strengthen Richland Library’s standing as one of the most innovative and inclusive library systems in the country.
