Tara Coleman

Tara Coleman is Associate Dean for Collections, Technology, and Innovation and Professor at Kansas State University Libraries. She provides strategic leadership for library collections, technology services, scholarly communication, and innovation initiatives that advance research, teaching, and student success across the university. She holds a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kansas State University.  

Since joining K-State Libraries in 2004, Coleman has served in a variety of leadership roles, including Interim Associate Dean, Program Services Coordinator, Web Services Librarian, and Science Librarian. She also co-coordinates the Dow Center for Multicultural and Community Studies and has led the K-State First Book common reading program since 2008, helping create meaningful learning experiences for students both inside and outside the classroom.  

An active scholar, speaker, and community advocate, Coleman's work focuses on student success, inclusive leadership, innovation, organizational communication, and conflict resolution. She served as a university ombudsperson for six years, is a member of the Manhattan Public Library Board of Trustees, and participates in community conversations about intellectual freedom through the Banned Book Club. Her contributions have been recognized with the American Library Association's I Love My Librarian Award (2023) and Kansas State University's Brice G. Hobrock Distinguished Faculty Award (2016).