Fatima Perkins

Fatima Perkins is a Lecturer at San Jose State University's School of Information, with over 20 years of experience in community outreach, strategic planning, and resource development for libraries and social services.

• Co-Chairperson for Library Services to an Aging Population (LSAP) Committee
• Director of Community Outreach & Advocacy at Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
• Developed 5,000+ library programs including health/wellness initiatives

Education:

• MNO (Master of Nonprofit Organizations) - Case Western Reserve University
• MSLIS (Master of Science in Library & Information Science) - Syracuse University

Her research interests span adult services, equity & diversity in library operations, health informatics, and strategic marketing for public institutions. She specializes in:

• Capacity-building for aging populations
• Community engagement frameworks
• Grant writing for library modernization
• 60+ audience programming best practices
• Nonprofit leadership strategies
• Digital inclusion initiatives

Professional experience includes:

• 20+ years with Cuyahoga County Public Library
• Leadership roles at United Way of Greater Cleveland
• Alzheimer's Association collaboration
• Greater Cleveland Volunteers engagement
• WRAAA outreach connecting 300+ venues annually

Major awards:

• Carnegie-Whitney Grant recipient (2015)
• ALA Spectrum Scholar distinction
• Ohio Library Council certification

She created the influential resource Passport to Aging: Celebrating Global Perspectives and co-authored Keys to Engaging Older Adults @ your library guidelines.