Letter from the Dean - Spring 2024

It’s funny how 20 years can pass in the blink of an eye yet encompass so much meaningful growth and change.

This spring I was honored for my 20-year anniversary with the Iowa State University Library along with a host of wonderful colleagues (see page 5). The occasion inspired me to reflect on my time as a Cyclone. I joined the Iowa State faculty in 2003 as Head of Preservation after serving Georgetown University Law Library in Washington, D.C. I served as associate dean then accepted the role as interim dean in 2019 and dean in 2021. I had been here a long time, longer than I planned, and I saw how we were starting to change and accelerate toward a new, more modern version of ourselves.

During the past 20 years we transitioned from focusing on collections to building services that support student, faculty, and staff success. We asked ourselves what a 21st century library should be. We responded by reimagining spaces that better serve our campus community and lowering financial barriers by providing technology, zero-cost course materials, and Open Access journals. And we became more agile to address emerging data research, digital humanities, and artificial intelligence support.

Our $1.1 million dollar renovation in 2019, partially funded by donors, transformed our first floor and greatly expanded our collaborative learning space. I’m especially proud of our efforts to prioritize digital scholarship projects elevating the voices and experiences of marginalized groups. We enriched our offerings to students caring for children with the addition of a family friendly room. And together we braved the COVID-19 pandemic and lingering effects by continually adapting to meet the changing needs of our campus community.

This year, in partnership with the College of Design we closed the doors to the Design Reading Room and moved those collections to Parks Library to expand student access and maximize space (see page 18). Recently, we opened Studio 2B for recording and live-streaming professional-quality videos. (See facing page. I tried the studio’s lightboard and can attest to its wow factor.) And, we added several privacy pods to our first floor Learning Connections Center to meet student need for quiet spaces for Zoom presentations, remote job interviews, telehealth, and more.

Both efforts were thanks in part to the generosity of our donors. Our talented staff and their desire to provide meaningful services and experiences make this an amazing library to lead. We will steer a course for the library to remain a valued and respected partner on campus by supporting, advancing, and advocating for their great work.

Leadership is not always fun or easy, but it can be very rewarding when the organization thrives and evolves. Thank you for helping us do just that.