Libraries

Title: Metadata and Cataloging Librarian
Email: olivia.bowman@shawu.edu
Phone: 919-546-8565

BIO:

Olivia Bowman began her role at Shaw University in March 2025. As the Metadata and Cataloging Librarian, she is responsible for the finding and incorporation of the physical and digital materials and resources into the library catalog system. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a B.A. in History and from East Carolina University with a Masters in Library Science. When not working, Olivia enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling.

Title: Divinity Librarian
Email: margaret.rasberry@shawu.edu
Phone: 919-546-8324

BIO:

Margaret “Molly” Rasberry began her trajectory into her library career as a Graduate intern in the Shaw University Library and has begun working as a Divinity Librarian for Jame E.Cheek Learning Resources Center. She has performed many duties pertaining to archiving and preservation in the University archives as well as performing customer service, accessing library materials for patrons as well as providing assistance to patrons and staff on a daily basis. Her previous education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, a Masters in Arts degree at Ohio University and a Masters in Library Science and Information Studies Degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Title: Archivist
Email: marie.stark@shawu.edu
Phone: 919-546-8202

BIO:

Marie Stark-Farrow, University Archivist, cares for, preserves and provides research assistance of the historical materials of Shaw University for students and researchers of all kinds. She has been working in archives and special collections since 2004. She holds a Masters in Library and Information Science with a focus on Rare Books and Special Collections along with an Advanced Certificate in Archives and Records Management from Long Island University. In addition, she holds a BA in Anthropology and History with minors in Classics and Archival Studies and Community Documentation from CUNY Brooklyn College. Her previous positions include Assistant Director and Library Archivist at the Hudson Area Association Library in Hudson, NY, Preservation Advisor for Green-Wood Cemetery Archives in Brooklyn, NY, and Archivist for the State of North Carolina. In her spare time, Marie likes to travel the world, enjoy the great outdoors, tend to her plants, and read.

Title: Access Service Librarian
Email: taylor.stephens@shawu.edu
Phone: 919-546-8337

BIO:

Taylor Stephens works as the Access Services Librarian, a role in which she manages front-facing services, assists with the creation and upholding of library policies, assists with the creation and maintenance of digital resources, and oversees the work study students. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Library and Information Science. She has worked in a public library and as a learning specialist at the University of Arizona previously. She finds the ability to build connections through providing access to information the most rewarding part of library services and enjoys getting to know the community she serves.

Title: Instructional and Reference Librarian
Email: carolyn.welker@shawu.edu
Phone: 919-546-8597

BIO:

Carolyn Welker grew up just outside of Charlotte, NC before attending UNC-Chapel where she earned her BA in American Studies and Sociology. During her time there, she began working in archives before getting her MSLS in Library Science, again at UNC-CH. Since grad school, she has worked in academic libraries where she loves working with both students and instructors on the research process.

Title: Library Specialist
Email: velma.williams@shawu.edu
Phone: 919-546-8438

BIO:

Velma Williams joined the Shaw University library system in 2007. Her contributions to the Library have been varied and rewarding. She has performed a variety of duties including, record-keeping, statistical data collection, cataloging shelf maintenance, and student worker supervision. She also developed and coordinated a library story hour in conjunction with the Center for Early Childhood Education and Research. Some of her proudest moments have been sharing Shaw’s historical contribution at the North Carolina Museum of History, the Greensboro Civil Rights Exhibit, and the Olivia Raney Local History Library. Her prior educational experience includes 22 years of elementary teaching experience in Virginia and North Carolina school systems. She has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Virginia State University and Library Science graduate course work from Longwood University.