Dr. Dock Alexander Boyd, Ph.D

Dr. Dock Alexander Boyd, Ph.D passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan with his family by his side. Dr. Boyd moved to Kalamazoo, MI after retiring from the Newark Public Library in Newark, NJ in 2004. Dr. Boyd was born on October 5, 1939 in Williston, South Carolina to Alexander and Octoria Boyd. He was the first born of seven children. Dr. Boyd served our country in the United States Air Force for three years. Upon his Honorable discharge, he attended and graduated from the University of Illinois, Urban, IL with his Bachelor of Arts in the Teaching of English. Dr. Boyd received his Master's Degree in Library Science from the University of Illinois, Urban, IL in 1968 and his Doctorate from Rutgers University's School of Communications, Information and Library Science in 1980. Dr. Boyd was an Associate Professor at the University of Alabama. He also was the Editor for the Guide to Multicultural Resources, published by Highsmith Press. Dr. Boyd was the Assistant Commisioner for Planning and Development at the Chicago Public Library from 1984 until 1988. In November 1988, Dr. Boyd became the director of the Newark Public Library until his retirement in 2004. Dr. Boyd served as a member of the Schomburg Corporation Board. Dr. Boyd is a Past-President of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and a Past-President of the New Jersey Library Association. Dr. Boyd founded the Black Caucus of the American Library Association of Literary Award. Dr. Boyd was on the Advisory Council of the New Jersey Center for the Book and was appointed by Mayor Sharpe James to co-chair the Special Events Committee for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Dr. Boyd served on the Executive Board of Essex-Husdon Regional Library Cooperative, the Executive Board of Infolink, the Eastern New Jersey Regional Library Corporation, the Library Network Review Board and the Search Committee for the Selection of the State Librarian. Dr. Boyd was a member of the Public Library Association, Urban League and NAACP. Dr. Boyd was preceded in death by his mother Octoria Milligan; and one sister Helen LuJeane Williams. Dr. Boyd leaves to cherish his memory, his father Alexander Boyd; Three sisters, Katherine Ross (James) Scott, Creola (John-deceased) Buchanan of Kalamazoo, Barbara Ann (Charles-deceased) Windgate of East Elmhurst, New York; two brothers, Stanley and Tyrone Boyd of Brooklyn, New York and a host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, great-grand nieces, great-grand nephews and friends.

Dr. Dock Alexander Boyd, Ph.D

October 5, 1939 - October 25, 2011