Brenda Johnson appointed as dean of libraries

Brenda Johnson has been named Ruth Lilly Dean of the IU Libraries, Bloomington Provost Karen Hanson announced Wednesday.

Johnson is the University Librarian at the University of California, Santa Barbara, according to an IU press release.

She will replace Patricia Steele, who served as dean since 2005 until she became Dean of Libraries at the University of Maryland on Sept. 1.

Carolyn Walters has served as the interim dean since then and will continue until Johnson assumes her new duties March 1, according to the press release.

The search for a new dean began in late 2008. The search committee was composed of students, staff, librarians and faculty.

It was co-chaired by Bobby Schnabel, dean of the School of Informatics and Computing and interim vice president for research, and Debora Shaw, a professor in the School of Library and Information Science.

The dean of University Libraries oversees the libraries on IU’s eight campuses. On Bloomington’s campus, the dean helps plan in the areas of collection development, public and technical services, facilities planning and personnel policies, according to the press release.

Johnson’s appointment awaits approval by the IU board of trustees.