Barbara Alvarez

Barbara Alvarez serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's School of Information Sciences, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses including Community Engagement, Information Organization and Access, and Information Services for Diverse Users.

Her academic credentials include:

• PhD in Information Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois
• BA in History from the University of Illinois

Alvarez's research centers on information access and reproductive health, extending to business librarianship and community engagement. Her work addresses critical gaps in public health information and supports diverse populations, including dementia care initiatives like Milwaukee's Memory Connection Center.

Her accolades include nationally recognized awards for innovation and teaching excellence.

• Programming Innovation Award
• Outstanding Business Librarian
• Teachers Ranked as Excellent
• Spectrum Scholar
• University Fellow

With 13+ years as a public librarian, Alvarez co-developed award-winning community programs and authored two influential books. She has secured multiple grants for library innovation while maintaining active teaching roles through Fall 2025.