November 19, 2009

TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY

I write to share with you the news that University Librarian Brenda Johnson has decided to accept a position as the Ruth Lilly Dean of University Libraries at Indiana University, beginning March 1, 2010.

We are moving forward quickly to identify an interim Librarian and to establish a Search Advisory Committee to conduct a national search for the next University Librarian. These will be announced in the near future.

Brenda has provided exceptional leadership and service to our campus during her time as University Librarian. She has led the Library in a review of key functions, services, and organizational structure to provide transparency and shared responsibility within the Library and to position us to respond to future directions. She has: worked to transform many spaces in the Library to provide more group, interactive, and quiet study space; installed a long overdue public address system; upgraded and expanded the wireless and laptop-compatible capacity; upgraded and solidified plans for the Library addition; initiated numerous activities to advance the IT infrastructure; and greatly expanded the connections between the Libraries and the rest of the campus.  In short, she has significantly moved our Libraries on a course to become Libraries of the future.

She has accomplished all this while also skillfully shepherding the Library through our increasingly challenging budgetary climate.

Both the Chancellor and I congratulate and thank Brenda for her many positive contributions. Please join us in wishing Brenda well in her new position.

Sincerely,

Gene Lucas
Executive Vice Chancellor