Gertiana Williams, Charles Brown, and Tamyka Miles: Celebrating the Library's Black Leadership

“Libraries have always felt like a home away from home to me, wherever I am,” she explained. “It always feels very natural when I walk into any library, anywhere.”

Working in libraries for almost a decade, Miles has been involved in numerous committees and task forces and said she loves being where the decisions are made.

“African Americans make up less than 6% of the library workforce, total, and even less in high-level administration positions. I am very passionate about advocating for more people of color to be a part of this profession, and for our libraries to better serve underrepresented communities,” she said. “If you don’t have diverse group of people and backgrounds sitting at the table, can you really be sure you’re providing equitable services?”

As the Library’s first assistant director since 2019, Miles’ top priority is to fight for the changes the community wants, not the things that she wants.

“In order to be a good steward, you have to listen. We have to listen to what they are asking for, and I don’t just mean buying a book or movie. We need to ask what type of environment they want to be in, and what time of programming they want to attend, and what other services they need,” she said. “The Library belongs to the people, will always belong to the people, and we will always try to do what’s in the best interest of the people.”

Improving the environment for Main Library staff and visitors was one of Miles’ early goals, and she points to the building’s fence as an example of that progress.

“I’m very proud of that, that was a big accomplishment for me,” she said. “We got some pushback on it, and people were wary of putting a big fence around a public Library. But, we were dealing with a real problem and we needed a way to protect the building and our grounds when we were closed. I wanted all people to feel welcome coming into the building, I wanted all people to feel safe. I’ve seen a clear improvement in the environment since the fence went up, and I’m proud of that.”

In her role as deputy director, Miles oversees seven departments — Collection Services, Acquisitions, City Archives & Special Collections, Facilities, Cataloging, Security, and IT.

“There are so many people who you don’t see when you stop by your neighborhood Library location who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the Library functioning. Those are the departments that I work with,” she said. “I’m honored to be entrusted to oversee these departments. You don’t have a library without these folks, and it’s an honor to be a part of that.”

With almost four years as deputy director under her belt, Miles said the best part of her job is still being in and around libraries every day.

“I will always consider myself a librarian, first and foremost. I love libraries, I believe in libraries, and I am proud to be a librarian. No matter how hard my day was, I am always excited to come back the next day,” Miles said. “Personally, I am extremely proud that I have risen to this role in Library administration. I accomplished something that I set out to do, and that I was told repeatedly that I would not be able to do. But, as a professional, this work is not about me. It’s about building and maintaining the best possible New Orleans Public Library system for the people of New Orleans.”

Miles is excited to complete upcoming facilities projects, including new roofs and HVAC for five locations, and a reimagined Children’s Resource Center.

“We have a big year coming. There’s always room for improvement, but I think we are an incredibly stable organization and I am proud to be a part of this administration, and I am endlessly proud of our staff,” she said.

Looking towards the future, Miles would love to see the Library anchor itself to other parts of the city and culture, and to produce large events of its own.

“My dream would be for the Library to host a festival or concert series,” she said. “But I’d also love us to be involved in the premier events that bring thousands of people to New Orleans every year, especially the ones rooted in the African American community, like Essence Fest.”

In the meantime, Miles is thrilled to watch Library programming continue to expand with unique initiatives like the annual “Renewed” anthology, Crescent City Sounds, and more.