2015-08-24

The History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign welcomed Celestina Savonius-Wroth as its new head librarian on August 3, 2015. Savonius-Wroth comes to Illinois with more than 20 years of experience as a librarian and researcher.

Savonius-Wroth was the librarian for history, religious studies, and history and philosophy of science at Indiana University for 15 years. Earlier in her career in librarianship, she spent time in the Indiana University Libraries’ reference department and conservation lab, and in the Monroe County (Indiana) Public Library, where she helped staff the Indiana Room. Savonius-Wroth worked in the antiquarian book trade during her high school and college years.

“History librarians get to be involved in all aspects of librarianship, from manuscripts and microfilm to digital humanities initiatives,” said Savonius-Wroth. “I am looking forward to working with a wonderful group of people at Illinois.”

“I’m very pleased to have Celestina join the University of Illinois Library,” said Dean of Libraries and University Librarian John Wilkin. “Her scholarly background and broad experience in research libraries make Celestina Savonius-Wroth an exceptional partner for our faculty and students.”

Savonius-Wroth is a historian of 18th-century Britain, with a focus on religious culture. She has presented her research at numerous conferences in the U.S. and Europe. At Indiana University, she received a New Frontiers Exploration Traveling Fellowship, and a Bloomington Center for Eighteenth-Century Studies Dissertation Fellowship, both in support of her doctoral research. In addition, Savonius-Wroth is involved in many national and professional activities, including serving as chair of the ALA/ACRL’s Philosophy, Religion and Theology Discussion group and as RUSA Update’s History Section news editor. During her tenure at Indiana University, she was actively involved in faculty governance and served on a multitude of library and campus committees and taskforces.

Savonius-Wroth earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts, magna cum laude; a master of arts in history; a master of library science, and, most recently, a doctoral degree in history—all from Indiana University.

For more information about the History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library, visit www.library.illinois.edu/hpnl .

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