2012-04-30

Sue Searing has been appointed as the new Interim Associate University Librarian for User Services for the University Library.  She will serve in this position for three years.

“These are such exciting times for academic research libraries,” Searing said.  “Changes in the higher education and publishing environments have inspired us to rethink our service models.   I’m enthusiastic about my expanded role in readying this Library for the opportunities that the near-term future will bring.”

Searing started at the University Library in 1997.  Since then, while serving as the University Library’s subject specialist in library and information science, she has also served at various times as the head of research & planning (user services), the interim women & gender resources librarian, and coordinator of the social sciences division.  Her experience also includes positions in the libraries at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Yale University.  Searing holds a B.A. in Russian language and literature from the State University of New York at Binghamton and an M.A. in library science from the University of Michigan.  She has earned several awards, most recently the Distinguished Service Award from the Library Science Alumni Association at Illinois.  In addition, Searing has authored numerous articles, books, and book chapters.

Searing takes over the position from Scott Walter who joined the Library in 2006.  Walter has accepted a position as university librarian at DePaul University in Chicago.

The Library’s Office of Services provides coordination and leadership for a variety of Library-wide programs and initiatives, including information literacy and instruction, staff training and development, and library assessment.

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