The Barbara MacAdam Papers document projects, programs, and events undertaken by the University of Michigan Library system during MacAdam's work there, which included almost 15 years as head of the Undergraduate Library and 10 years as head of Reference and Instruction at the Graduate Library. It also includes course material from her position as lecturer within the School of Information (formerly School of Information and Library Studies) and College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (Honors Program and Department of Communication). The records are arranged into nine series: Biographical, Course Material, Facilities, Graduate Library South Building Renovation, Mirlyn Implementation (2004), Miscellaneous Library Material, Projects/Collaborations, Projects/Committees, and Undergraduate Library.
Barbara MacAdam earned her bachelor's degree with high honors in English from the University of Michigan in 1972. She continued her studies there, earning her Master of Arts in Library Science degree in 1979.
Her career as a librarian within the University of Michigan Library system began when she was named an assistant librarian for the Undergraduate Library in 1979. She continued in this capacity for two years, after which she became head of Media Services at the Medical School's Learning Resource center from 1981 to 1982. From 1982 to 1985, MacAdam served as coordinator for Access and Automated Services in the Undergraduate Library. In 1985, she became the acting head of the Undergraduate Library and became permanent head in 1987. She remained head of the Undergraduate Library until 1999, when she became head of Reference and Instruction in the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library, a position she held until 2008. In 2008, her title became Associate University Librarian for Public Services.
In addition to her work as librarian, MacAdam served as lecturer within the School of Information (formerly School of Information and Library Studies) and College of Literature, Science, and Arts. Courses taught within the School of Information include ILS 755 ("Instruction in the Use of Information,"), ILS 618 ("Academic and Research Libraries,"), SI 695 ("The University Learning Environment,"), and SI 647 ("Introduction to Information Resources and Services,").Within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, she has taught Honors 251 ("The Structure of Inquiry in the Information Age," later renamed "Knowledge and Society in the Information Age,") and Communication 250 ("Information Gathering for Mass Media,").
MacAdam's many honors and awards include the Virginia Voss Memorial Award for Writing (1972), John Cotton Dana Award from the American Library Association (1987), Diversity Award (1996 and 2011), Miriam Dudley Instruction Librarian Award (1996), and University Librarian Recognition Award (2004). She was also inducted into Phi Beta Kappa (1972) and Beta Phi Mu (1979) while at the University of Michigan.
MacAdam has written many articles and made numerous presentations for library profession journals and conferences. She has also served on many committees for the Association of College and Research Libraries division of the American Library Association, Michigan Library Association, and University of Michigan. MacAdam retired from the University of Michigan in 2011.
