Sandra Hughes-Hassell

Dr. Sandra Hughes-Hassell is a Professor and Coordinator of the School Library Media Coordinator Program at the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS). Her expertise spans multicultural children's literature, youth library services, and social justice in education. She holds a BS in Early Childhood Education, MEd in Library Science (James Madison University), and a PhD from UNC Chapel Hill.

Her research focuses on culturally relevant practice in libraries, with emphasis on marginalized youth, particularly African American communities. Notable contributions include advocating for inclusive collections, counter-storytelling through literature, and bridging literacy gaps. She has authored/co-authored influential books like Libraries, Literacy, and African American Youth and Collection Management for Youth.

Key honors include the 2017 YALSA Presidency, Virginia Hamilton Essay Awards (2013/2014), and ALISE Teaching Excellence (2012). Her work emphasizes librarianship's role in addressing systemic inequities and empowering underserved populations.

Teaching includes courses like INLS 530: Young Adult Literature and INLS 735: Youth Services in a Diverse Society. She coordinates programs fostering librarian leadership in school reform and equitable service design.