UNL will conduct an internal search for permanent dean of the University Libraries. The search, open to all tenured members of the libraries faculty, begins immediately and is expected to finish by the end of July.
Ellen Weissinger, senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, announced the internal search in a June 13 email to library faculty. Weissinger said she made the decision after getting a letter from a significant component of the library faculty, who indicated that an internal dean would be best suited to guide progress the libraries must make in the next few years. Those faculty members also expressed confidence that one or more viable internal candidates exist.
Because library faculty members are on 12-month appointments, the faculty and staff are able to participate in an immediate search that can move forward this summer, Weissinger said.
Applications will be accepted until July 2. Lance Perez, dean of graduate studies, will lead the search committee, which will consider all applications and recommend finalists to Weissinger.
Campus interviews with several constituent groups — library faculty and staff, vice chancellors and deans, the Faculty Senate executive committee, ASUN and an open meeting for faculty and staff — will take place in mid-July. Weissinger will seek formal feedback following the sessions before making a final decision.
UNL Libraries has been without a permanent dean since 2012, when Joan Giesecke stepped down to take a new role coordinating the university’s preparation for a 2016 re-accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. In August 2012, Nancy Busch was appointed to the position of interim dean.
— Steve Smith, University Communications