Appointments

Robert Fox Jr., associate dean of libraries at Georgia Institute of Technology since 2005, has been appointed dean of university libraries at the University of Louisville. Fox has been credited with innovations, such as numerous renovation and construction projects, including two new commons spaces, a new library classroom, and planning for a new desk that will consolidate services. He also has improved user engagement through creation of a user experience department and advisory boards for students and faculty. Prior to his tenure at Georgia Tech, Fox served in several positions at Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia. He was that institution’s director of library services from 1992 to 2005. He also has served as a reference librarian at Woodruff Library at Atlanta University Center.

Robert Fox Jr.

Hejin Shin was promoted head of library systems at the University of Texas-San Antonio.

Jaena Alabi has joined Auburn University Libraries as librarian in the subject specialties of English language, English literature, and pPsychology.

Kawanna Bright was appointed head of first-year services at the University of Texas-San Antonio.

Zhimin Chen has been named digital library developer at George Mason University.

Jae Fowle is project archivist for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group Records Project at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

George Fowler has accepted the position of associate university librarian for information resources and technology at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

Heather Hamilton was appointed preservation technician at the University of Texas-San Antonio.

Jessica Hayden has joined the Technical Services Department as manager of resource processing and description at the University of Northern Colorado’s James A. Michener Library in Greeley, Colorado.

Michael Holt has joined the faculty of Valdosta State University as reference librarian.

Carol Hunter is now associate university librarian for collections and services at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Margaret Lam is now physical sciences liaison librarian at George Mason University.

Ken LaZebnik is now director of advancement and public affairs for the library system at Pepperdine University.

Joanna Lee has been named digital repository services librarian at George Mason University.

Anna M. Levia is now assistant curator for Judaica and Hebraica Collections at Stanford University.

Wendy Mann is now head of the newly launched Data Services Group in the Digital Programs and Systems division of the George Mason University Libraries.

Michelle Millet was appointed head of research services at the University of Texas-San Antonio.

Carlin Otto has joined the Stanford University’s Branner Earth Sciences Library and Map Collections as the circulation, course reserves, gifts, and monographic specialist.

Rosemary Pal is now archivist in the Special Collections Library’s Archives Unit at the University of Michigan Library.

Alexandra Rivera has been named student enrichment and community outreach librarian at the University of Michigan Library.

Ann B. Shaffer has been appointed music librarian at the University of Oregon Libraries.

William Shakalis has been appointed assistant librarian at the Learning Resource Center and Library at Worcester State University in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Cherry-Ann Smart is now collections development librarian at the University of West Indies-Mona Campus in Jamaica.

Stephen J. Smith is now acquisitions librarian at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Kathryn Stine is now university archivist at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Jingshan Xiao has been appointed systems librarian at the University of Texas-San Antonio.

Jerome Yavarkovsky is now co-chair of the Immersive Education Initiative Library Technology Working Group at Boston College.

Retirements

Susan Curzon, Oviatt Library dean at California State University-Northridge, has retired after serving more than 18 years in the position. She was previously the director of libraries for the City of Glendale, California, and was also a regional administrator for the County of Los Angeles Public Library. She began her professional life as a corporate librarian for Kennecott Exploration She is the author of numerous articles and books.

George R. Gaumond, university librarian and dean of the master of library and information science program at Valdosta State University, retired December 31, 2010. Gaumond began his career as a reference librarian at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. He was college librarian at Shepherd College, now Shepherd University. Gaumond has held leadership positions in national, regional, and state library organizations. He was a member of the original committee that established GALILEO, Georgia’s virtual library. He was also instrumental in starting the MLIS Program at Valdosta.

Cliff Mead, head of special collections for Oregon State University (OSU) Libraries, has retired, after 24 years of service. Mead is recognized internationally as the authority on the Ava Helen and Linus Pauling Papers. He has authored several publications, including Thomas Pynchon: A Bibliography of Primary and Secondary Sources (1989). His most recent book, co-edited with Chris Petersen, is The Pauling Catalogue: Ava Helen and Linus Pauling Papers at Oregon State University (2006). He also has co-edited Linus Pauling: Scientist and Peacemaker (2001) and The Pauling Symposium: A Discourse on the Art of Biography (1996).

Betty D. Paulk, associate university librarian at Valdosta State University’s Odum Library, has retired. She began her career at Valdosta State University in 1973 as reference librarian. She has held leadership positions and committee assignments in ACRL, Library Leadership and Management Association, Southeastern Library Association, and the Georgia Library Association, where she served as president in 2008.

Deaths

Edward Swanson, who managed contract cataloging services at Minitex at the University of Minnesota, has died. Swanson’s career began at Macalester College, with duties including cataloging and organizing the college archives. In 1968, he moved to the Minnesota Historical Society, where he led the Newspaper, Processing, and Technical Services departments, culminating in the position of coordinator of library cataloging and principal cataloger. During this time, he played a vital role as a Minnesota AACR2 Trainer, helping librarians throughout the state learn and understand the new cataloging rules. He not only provided in-person training, but authored and edited numerous manuals and other documentation to support cataloging including (with Nancy Olson) The Complete Cataloging Reference Set: Collected Manuals of the Minnesota AACR2 Trainers. Swanson prepared curriculum and conducting training for the MN Opportunities for Technical Services Excellence (MOTSE), strengthening the cataloging knowledge of librarians and paraprofessionals throughout the state. He has also served as a long-time Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO) trainer for the region and as the Minnesota NACO funnel. He retired from the Minnesota Historical Society after 32 years, and then, in 2001, he joined the staff of Minitex at the University of Minnesota for nine years. He received the MLA President’s Award in 1981 and also received an MLA Centennial Medal. Swanson played a leadership role in the state-wide shared integrated library system (MnSCU/PALS, and MnLINK) Cataloging User Groups and Database Quality Maintenance Task Forces. On a national level, Swanson became a member of ALA in 1962. Swanson served the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS) in a variety of roles including the Library Research and Technical Services (LRTS) Editorial Board (for 15 years), ALCTS Board member and parliamentarian, ALCTS International Relations Committee, ALCTS Publications Committee, and many others.