Appointment of VP for Information Services and University Librarian

June 20, 2008
 

Members of the Rutgers Community:

I am pleased to announce the promotion of Marianne Gaunt to the position of vice president for information services and university librarian, effective July 1, 2008. This title reflects the strong leadership Marianne provides to the university’s extensive system of libraries and the importance of the university libraries to the mission and goals of the university.

Over nearly 30 years at Rutgers, Marianne has held a number of library positions including director of the Alexander Library, and associate university librarian for research and undergraduate services.

As university librarian since 1997, she has led the transition of our libraries into the digital age and transformed the way they serve our community. The libraries now provide numerous services online; a significant portion of the collection resources are in digital formats; and the libraries are information technology leaders. The open source technology software they developed to help preserve our digital collections is being used for the university’s transition to electronic theses and dissertations. The libraries’ workflow management system software is being used by the Library of Congress, and the libraries have been invited to participate in an international effort to design a new open source library technology infrastructure.

Under Marianne’s leadership, the libraries on all campuses have raised their profile for private giving, as well as for foundation and national grants. Our libraries are also recognized leaders in statewide information initiatives such as the New Jersey Digital Highway database of resources about New Jersey and the NJVid portal for the collection and delivery of digital video throughout the state.

Marianne brings national recognition to Rutgers in many ways, including her current position as president of the prestigious Association of Research Libraries. She serves on the board of the regional library network, PALINET, and is founding chair of our statewide academic library consortium, the Virtual Academic Library Environment. Her university service includes co-chairing the Copyright Policy Review Committee and the Work Life and Family Issues Committee.

Under Marianne Gaunt’s leadership, our libraries’ service program has prospered, our relationships with fellow research libraries have been strengthened, and our national reputation has been enhanced. Please join me in congratulating Marianne and applauding her enormous service to Rutgers and the broader library community.

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey