Education

MLIS, University of South Carolina
B.S., Business Administration, University of South Carolina

Responsibilities

Randy Heath serves as the primary academic advisor to general track and school library track MLIS students as well as students in the new master's program in data and communication.  Additionally he is the internship and independent study coordinator for all MLIS students and coordinates graduation and placement activities for iSchool student services. 

Background

• Orangeburg County Library, Orangeburg, SC, Deputy Director, September 2022 – August 2023
• Richland Library, Columbia, SC, May 2014 – September 2022
  Edgewood Manager, February 2018 – September 2022
  Career Coach/Customer Service Supervisor Senior, May 2014 – February 2018;
• Race to the Table SC, Columbia, SC,   2016 – 2022, Co-Director (Volunteer)
• Midlands Technical College, Columbia, SC, May 2013 – May 2014; Career Specialist/Presenter & Facilitator
• Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMGOG), Lexington, SC, June 2010 – May 2013
  Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Co-Lead Workforce Consultant;
• Department of Employment and Workforce, Lexington, SC, November 2008 – June 2010
  Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program Coordinator

Awards

• American Library Association (ALA) Emerging Leader (2024)
• American Library Association (ALA) Spectrum Scholar (2021-2022)
• University of South Carolina Augusta Baker Scholar (2021-2022)
• South Carolina Library Association (SCLA) Scholarship for Diversity in Librarianship Recipient (2021-2022)
• Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) Smiley Student Award Recipient (2021)
• Richland Library Let’s Talk Race (2017 Honorable Mention by Urban Libraries Council (ULC))
• Junior League of Columbia awarded the Let’s Talk Race team the “Friend of the League” Award 2021/2022

Personal

Heath is a respected librarian and leader known for his impactful community and library initiatives. He co-led the nationally acclaimed Richland Library's Let's Talk Race team. Known for his transformative leadership style that combines kindness with responsibility, he is a skilled facilitator, trainer, advisor, career coach, and presenter. Heath appreciates his family's unwavering support and his mentors' contributions to his growth. He is a husband, father of four amazing kids and a sweet dog, who enjoys family time, grilling, coaching youth basketball, and milkshakes.