Search Update: New University Librarian Appointed
Following a nationwide search, Provost Pallavicini is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mary M. Somerville as Pacific's new University Librarian, effective January 1, 2016.
Dr. Somerville joins the University from the University of Colorado Denver, where she has served since 2008 as University Librarian and Professor, and as Director of the Auraria Library, which serves more than 53,000 students at three schools on one urban campus: the University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Community College of Denver. She brings to Pacific years of leadership experience in library and information services, visual and performing arts administration, and organizational and fund development, including two library leadership appointments in the California State University system.
Dr. Somerville earned her PhD at Union Institute and University, Cincinnati; Master of Arts at the Goddard-Cambridge Graduate Program in Social Change, Goddard College, Cambridge, (Mass.); and Master of Library Studies, at the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, University of Hawaii-Manoa. She has an impressive body of scholarship that advances collaborative design of organizational communication systems and library service models that enhance an institution's student-centered teaching and learning mission. Dr. Somerville stated that she is looking forward to joining "an internationally recognized university community with distinguished undergraduate and professional programs that are transforming lives through exceptional student-centered education."
Provost Pallavicini stated, "We are impressed by the experience Dr. Somerville brings to Pacific and look forward to her leadership in the implementation of one integrated University library system accessible across our three campuses." Provost Pallavicini also wants to thank the members of the search committee, chaired by Lynn Beck Brallier, Interim Dean of the University Library, and co-chaired by Vernon Smith, Vice Provost for Distributed Learning, for their service over the past several months, and the members of the University community who participated in the candidate forums and provided the committee with valuable feedback during the selection process.