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Committee formed to select new leader for library

Posted 10/23/2007

Nineteen Vanderbilt leaders will help fill a vital position, that of University Librarian at the Jean and Alexander Heard Library.

The committee was announced on Monday by Dennis Hall, associate provost for research and graduate education. It will be headed by co-chairs Marshall Eakin, professor of history, and Florence Wilson, deputy university librarian.

“We’re going to need someone with lots of skills to run this library system,” Eakin said. “It’s an opportunity for someone to come in and move into a job leading us as we decide what the library is going to look like in light of the digital revolution. They’ll also have to be able to raise funds to build a new library or renovate the one we have.

“It’s an important job and a great opportunity for the right applicant.”

Vanderbilt has already advertised to fill the position in the Chronicle of Higher Education. In the ad, university officials say they are seeking “a guiding voice and spirit” for a conversation aimed at identifying “the characteristics of the academic library Vanderbilt will need to carry it forward through the first half of the 21st century.”

In addition to Eakin and Wilson, members of the committee are:
•    Cecelia Tichi, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of English
•    Richard Blackett, Andrew Jackson Professor of American History
•    Larry Isaac, professor of sociology
•    David Ernst, professor of physics
•    Melanie Lowe, associate professor of musicology and American and Southern studies and chair of musicology
•    Jack Sasson, Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies and Hebrew Bible
•    Clare McCabe, assistant professor of chemical engineering
•    Jason Morrow, F. Tremaine Billings Professor of Medicine and director of the Center for Pharmacology and Drug Toxicity
•    Ann Neely, associate professor of the practice of education
•    Nancy King, Lee S. and Charles A. Speir Professor of Law
•    Dawn Iacabucci, E. Bronson Ingram Professor in Marketing
•    Katherine Porter, librarian, science and engineering library
•    Peggy Earheart, manager, library annex
•    Matthew Hall, assistant vice chancellor for ITS
•    Michael Schoenfeld, vice chancellor for public affairs
•    Elizabeth Boord, development officer
•    Lisa Shipman, director of administrative services, library

University Librarian Paul Gherman announced in July his plans to retire in July 2008. He has held that position since 1996.

Contact: Jim Patterson, (615) 322-NEWS
                 jim.patterson@vanderbilt.edu

 

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