Ferry, Barbara
Former Branch Services Manager
As the interim head of Research Services Division, I manage the services and staff of seventeen Smithsonian Libraries branches focused on Art & Design, History & Culture, and Natural & Physical Sciences. I also serves as the Head of the Natural & Physical Science Libraries. Prior to the Smithsonian, I was the Director of the Library and Archives at National Geographic Society and also worked as a news research analyst at the Washington Post, and led a research team at Washington Information Group. I am active in the Library and information community and have spoken at workshops and conference programs throughout my career (SLA, IFLA, Charleston Library Conference, Future of Information Alliance, ALA, etc.).
Background And Education
Education And Training
- M.S. in Library Science, Research and Reference, Library Management, University of Maryland, College Park , Information Science 1988 - 1990
- M.S. in Journalism, Columbia University , School of Journalism 1985 - 1986
- B.A. in History, Cornell University , School of Arts & Sciences 1981 - 1985
Awards And Honors
- Outstanding Business Librarianship Award, conferred by Special Libraries Association, 2009
Publications
Presentations
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Presentation
- Wilder, Baasil and Ferry, Barbara. 2022. Introduction and Trends in Transformative Agreements [presentation]. Fedlink EResources Working Group, May 19, 2022. Transformative Agreements: Supporting Federal Open Access. Zoom: Fedlink.
Activities
Responsible Collections Areas
- Science monographs and serial collections.
Outreach Overview
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Poster at ACRL/ALA Meeting June 2019: Measuring and Responding to the Evolution of Science Researcher Needs at the Smithsonian: Bullard, Kristen A.; Cox, Stephen; Ferry, Barbara; Lasker, Polly; Zwicker, Sue; Bullard, Kristen; Cox, Stephen; Ferry, Barbara; Lasker, Polly; Zwicker, Sue. Location: https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/98484
Speaker, American Library Association Conference, June 2019. "Tips for Getting a Federal Library Job."
Speaker, Charleston Library Conference, November 2018: "Forming Cooperative Relationships for Collections: A Winding Tale of Map Stewardship."
Speaker, Charleston Library Conference, November 2017: “What do Smithsonian Scientists Want From Their Libraries?” based on the 2016 Natural & Physical Science Survey, and “Inspiring Discovery Through Global Access to Free Biodiversity Literature (BHL)”.Partner Interview with Gale Cengage, 2014. (http://blog.gale.com/partner-interview-barbara-ferry-of-the-national-geographic-society/)
"Creative Ideas, Insights, & Trends: Innovation to Go"; March 21, 2012; Computers in Libraries, Washington DC. (http://www.infotoday.com/cil2012/speakers.asp?speaker=BarbaraFerry)
"The Future of the Past: Toward an Agenda for Research and Action: A Discussion with FIA Partners," December 6, 2013 (http://www.fia.umd.edu/events/futurepast/umd.shtml)
"Thinking Strategically About the Future"; DCLA/DCSLA Joint Spring Workshop, April 2012.National Geographic Intelligent Traveler: Postings from the Vancouver Olympics (http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/tag/barbara-ferry/)
"Podcasting Potential for Special Libraries" DC/SLA event. May 17, 2006.
"Dispatches From the Stacks," April 11, 2011. (https://ngslis.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/celebrate-our-nations-libraries/)
Trends Analysis at National Geographic, Computers in Libraries, April 1, 2009. http://www.infotodayblog.com/2009/04/01/trends-analysis-at-national-geographic/
Nielsen Norman Group 2007 Intranet Design Annual Award for National Geographic's Intranet Team: http://www.nngroup.com/news/item/2007-intranet-design-awards/
Editor, Chapter Notes, DCSLA (2006)
"How to find your Library’s Value and Sell it to Management." Speaker, DCSLA event. 2006
Special Libraries Association: Business & Finance Division Award for Outstanding Achievement in Business Librarianship (2009)
Affiliation
Member Of
- Future of Information Alliance of the University of Maryland Founding Partner 2014 -
- American Library Association 1995 -
Contact
Location
- Smithsonian Libraries and Archives Department
Mailing Address
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Smithsonian Institution
MRC 154 Box 37012
Washington DC, 20013-7012