Education

B.A., English Literature, University of South Carolina
M.L.I.S., College of Library & Information Science, University of South Carolina

Research

Diversity in Children's Literature
Reading engagement
Community Literacy
School Libraries

Teaching

Valerie Byrd Fort engages students with passion and enthusiasm for reading and literacy.  She has over 15 years of teaching in the K - 12 environment and was selected as Teacher of the Year at both schools in which she taught. As a school librarian, she was an advocate for both students and teachers. She teaches courses in children's literature and in school library management. Byrd Fort is the coordinator for Cocky's Reading Express, the University of South Carolina's literacy outreach program.

Service

Past President of the South Carolina Association of School Librarians
Member of the Columbia Junior League
Member of American Library Association
Member of American Association of School Librarians
Member of Beta Phi Mu
Safe Zone Ally

Personal

Byrd Fort worked as a school librarian in South Carolina for over 15 years before becoming an Instructor for the School of Information Science. She lives in Columbia with her husband, daughter and dogs.