Melanie Huggins

Melanie Huggins is the executive director of Richland Library in Columbia, SC, which received the 2017 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor. Richland Library has also received 2020 and 2021 rankings in the State of SC as a “Top Place to Work.” Melanie has received recognition from several local and state entities. Her work is influenced by her belief that libraries are uniquely positioned to make communities more
livable, resilient, and inclusive – which she champions through human-centered design and an EDI & SJ lens. She is a recognized leader and global speaker in the library profession having held trustee positions with both the Urban Libraries Council and the Public Library Association and is the immediate past president for PLA. She is a Liberty Fellow, member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and an alumna of Furman University’s Riley Diversity Leaders Institute. Melanie has served as past Board Chair of Together SC; past President of the University of South Carolina’s University Associates Board and former Board member of City Center Partnership.