To: Faculty, Other Academic Appointees, and Staff
From: Ka Yee C. Lee, Provost
Subject: Library Director Search Update and Information Sessions
Date: June 8, 2021
 
I write to share an update on the search for a new Library Director.
 
As previously announced, Brenda Johnson will be retiring effective November 15.
 
The search process is being guided by a committee representing a variety of disciplines and perspectives across campus. Members of the committee are as follows:
  • Melina Hale (Co-Chair), Vice Provost and William Rainey Harper Professor, Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, and the College

  • William Howell (Co-Chair), Sydney Stein Professor in American Politics, Department of Political Science, the Harris School of Public Policy, and the College; Chair, Department of Political Science and Director of the Center for Effective Government

  • David Borycz, Assistant University Librarian for Administrative Services, The University of Chicago Library

  • Ronald Burt, Charles M. Harper Leadership Professor of Sociology and Strategy, Booth School of Business

  • Daisy Delogu, Professor of French Literature, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures and the College

  • William Hubbard, Professor of Law, The Law School

  • Garrett Kiely, Director, University of Chicago Press

  • Diane Lauderdale, Louis Block Professor of Public Health Sciences and the College, Chair, Department of Public Health Sciences

  • Cecilia Smith, GIS and Maps Librarian, The University of Chicago Library

  • Mark Webster, Associate Professor, Department of the Geophysical Sciences and the College

  • Philip Venticinque (Staff to the Committee), Assistant Provost

The firm Storbeck Search has been retained to assist with developing a strong pool of candidates. More information and application instructions are available in the position profile.
 
The Library is central to the University’s mission of academic and research excellence and the search committee welcomes input from the many constituencies served by the Library. You are therefore invited to participate in one of the information sessions listed below to learn more and to share your thoughts on the Library and the Director search.
  • Session 1: June 17, 9-10 a.m. CDT

  • Session 2: June 22, 4-5 p.m. CDT

  • Session 3: June 25, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CDT

All sessions will be held over Zoom. To attend, please RSVP to receive the Zoom meeting details.
 
You may nominate individuals or provide feedback and insights to inform the search by emailing universitylibrarian-search@uchicago.edu. While the committee may not be able to respond to every message, please know that all messages will be read and taken into consideration.
 
Thank you for your support and engagement in this search process.
 
Keywords: 
Policy and Administration