Library will get new leadership after 28-year dean of libraries retired in June
A 14-member search committee was appointed to assist in the search for a new dean of CMU's University Libraries after 28-year leader Tom Moore retired June 30.
The committee has met and will begin reviewing candidates by early September, said Vice President of Information Technology and the chair of the committee, Roger Rehm. He said the goal is to identify a new dean by January 2017. Kathy Irwin is serving as interim dean.
"We all recognize that libraries are an interesting place as they move from books to electronic resources," Rehm said. "This involves rethinking the definition the library plays at CMU,"
Rehm will be surrounded by the following 13 committee members:
- Tim Peters, interim associate dean, University Libraries;
- Janet Danek, exhibits and projects coordinator, University Libraries;
- Franks Boles, director, Clarke Historical Library;
- Rui Wang, faculty, University Libraries;
- Stephanie Mathson, faculty, University Libraries;
- Robin Sabo, faculty, University Libraries;
- Dr. Elizabeth Palmer, assistant professor, College of Medicine;
- Stephanie Richards, assistant professor, communication disorders deparment;
- Tracy Galarowicz, chair, biology department;
- Megan Moreno, director of development and external relations, College of Education and Human Services;
- Andrew Spencer, interim associate dean, College of Communication and Fine Arts;
- Luis Perez-Batres, chair, management department; and
- BethAnne Kunert, student representative.
"We tried to have a real cross section (on the search committee), representative of all the academic colleges," Rehm said.
Rehm said he was happy with the diverse group on the committee in terms of their different jobs at the university, interests and views.
As for the state of the library, Rehm said Moore left it in a good state with a master plan in place.
University President George Ross called Moore a "wonderful" employee of the university in an interview in June.
"Tom's been great to work with. He and his wife Gail have been wonderful employees of the university, but just wonderful community people," he said. "They're just great to work with. Tom is a smart man, an engaging man. I appreciate my time with him and I wish him well in his retirement."
There were a lot of things that made Moore a good dean, Rehm said. A big part of the job, he said, involves administrative tasks, communicating with library staff members and higher ranking administrators across most academic colleges and departments.
"We're looking for someone who has a really compelling vision for what the library can be today and into the future."
