Nominations for Nebraska’s next dean of libraries are being accepted through March 4 or until the position is filled.
The dean of university libraries reports to Donde Plowman, executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer, and works closely with other deans and university leadership. The position’s primary responsibility is to fulfill the libraries’ current mission and develop a next-generation plan to reflect the Nebraska 150 Commission’s vision for the university’s future.
The dean will serve as a representative and advocate for libraries locally, nationally and globally.
“The libraries dean is vital to the university community,” Plowman said. “The unique position provides day-to-day support to all members of campus — students, faculty, and staff — and is essential to our role as a land-grant, comprehensive research university.”
The dean oversees all aspects of the libraries’ work, provides leadership for librarians and staff and manages all library collections to meet campus priorities. The position serves as ambassador for donor collections and fundraisers for library enhancements. In addition to on-campus responsibilities, the dean provides leadership in the University of Nebraska Consortium of Libraries, which is comprised of five libraries throughout the state, and represents the university in the Big Ten Academic Alliance Library Directors group.
The new dean will replace Nancy Busch, who is retiring after leading the University Libraries since July 2013.
A 12-member search committee for the position is chaired by Lance C. Pérez, Omar Heins dean of engineering and professor of electrical and computer engineering. Committee members include John Carroll, director and professor of natural resources; Kirill Belashchenko, professor of physics and astronomy; Mary Bolin, professor of university libraries; Robert Woody, professor of music; Sandy Placzek, professor of law; Elizabeth Lorang, interim associate dean and associate professor of university libraries; Charlene Maxey-Harris, interim associate dean and associate professor of university libraries, Regina Flowers, manager of Adele Hall Learning Commons, Scott Ideen, operations supervisor in the geography library; Dave Richards, dean of libraries, University of Nebraska at Omaha; and Anastacie Bubb, student, classics and religious studies.
Learn more about the position and how to submit nominations.
