People in the News

David Free

Carol Ann Borchert has been appointed the new dean of the University of South Florida (USF) Libraries. Borchert has served USF for nearly three decades, most recently as senior associate dean of the USF Libraries. Throughout her tenure, Borchert has led major initiatives that have strengthened access to scholarly resources, expanded digital preservation efforts, enhanced research support services, and improved the visibility of faculty scholarship. Her accomplishments include overseeing the transition of the Searchable Ornithological Research Archive (more than 80,000 items) for preservation on USF’s Digital Commons platform, implementing Digital Commons Data to support research data management, guiding significant library technology and repository transitions, and supporting faculty success and promotion initiatives.

In her role as dean, Borchert will maintain the USF Libraries’ position as a partner in student success, research excellence, and community engagement. In collaboration with library faculty and staff, she will accelerate learning and scholarship through expert support, distinctive collections, innovative technologies, collaborative spaces, and services that empower students, faculty, and researchers.

Georgia Brown has accepted the role of head of the American Geographical Society Library (AGSL). Brown has been an integral part of the AGSL for years, beginning as a graduate intern in 2018 before becoming the public services librarian in 2020 and then serving as the interim head of the AGSL since October 2025. Brown brings deep subject matter expertise, exceptional user services, experience with the media, and an impressive record of scholarship and professional service to her new role.

Jacob Campbell is now senior vice president of research and collections at The Linda Hall: Science Library and Arboretum. In this new role on executive leadership team, Campbell will provide strategic leadership for the library’s research, scholarship, collections, and curatorial activities. He will oversee the institution’s library services, fellowship programs, special collections, and arboretum while helping shape a forward-looking vision for how Campbell will work across the institution to integrate research and collections strategies with exhibitions, educational programs, engagement initiatives, and institutional priorities. He will also guide future collection development, strengthen support for researchers and fellows, and help position The Linda Hall as a leading voice in conversations about science, discovery, and the future of research.

Laura Gariepy has been selected as the next dean of university libraries at William & Mary. Gariepy currently serves as the associate dean for research and learning at Virginia Commonwealth University’s James Branch Cabell Library. At William & Mary, she will lead a team of sixty-four and oversee areas including the Special Collections Research Center, collection and content services, research and public services, development, and external relations. Gariepy succeeds Carrie Cooper, who departed the university for a position at Florida State University in December. Lisa Nickel, associate dean of research and public services, served as interim dean while a national search was conducted.

As dean, Gariepy will strengthen the library as a campus and community anchor and develop its staff. She will also identify ways for William & Mary Libraries to support the university’s research mission through its collection of resources and partnerships with student and faculty researchers. In addition, she will advance the libraries’ efforts around digital scholarship, data stewardship, and other emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Dave Richards was recently appointed as dean of library services at Missouri State University’s Duane G. Meyer Library in Springfield, Missouri. He was previously dean of library services at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library from 2015 to June 2025.

Brad Warren has been selected as dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Libraries and university librarian after a national search. He will join VCU after serving as the inaugural dean of libraries at Augusta University in Georgia. Warren is slated to begin his appointment on Sept. 14 after ratification at the next quarterly meeting of the VCU Board of Visitors. Until then, Teresa L. Knott, associate dean of VCU Libraries and director of the Health Sciences Library, will serve as interim dean of VCU Libraries and university librarian. Warren arrives at VCU Libraries at a time of transformational change. The Health Sciences Library is scheduled to move to a temporary location in 2026–27, and the James Branch Cabell Library is finalizing plans for a renovation to expand Special Collections and Archives.