Barbara is Head of Research and Information Services for the University of Central Florida Libraries (2013 to the present). She formerly served as the Head of Research and Information Services for the University of North Carolina, Charlotte (2011-2012).

Barbara was an Invited Speaker at the 2016 Japan Association of National University Libraries (JANUL) Symposium at the University of Tokyo where she presented "The Learning Commons Service Model in North America" on January 29, 2016.
Barbara also was a Plenary Speaker at the 2012 Canadian Learning Commons Conference where she presented "Re-Learning the Commons: From Conceptual Overview to Case Study" (by D. Beagle and B. Tierney).
Barbara’s publications include “Transforming Library Service Through Information Commons” (by D.R. Bailey and B. Tierney, ALA Eds., 2008) and “The Information Commons Handbook” (by D. Beagle, with B. Tierney and D.R. Bailey, Neal-Schuman Pub., 2006).