Concordia University Librarian heads to UAlberta
Concordia University Librarian Gerald Beasley has been appointed vice-provost and chief librarian at the University of Alberta, effective July 1, 2013, for a five-year term.
Located in Edmonton, UAlberta is one of Canada’s top teaching and research universities, with an international reputation for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering, and health sciences. As chief librarian, Beasley will be a member of the Deans’ Council and will be assisted by an 11-person leadership team and more than 400 staff.
Beasley has been university librarian at Concordia since July 1, 2008.
“Gerald’s leadership has greatly improved Concordia’s library services, one reason why his mandate was renewed for a second five-year term set to begin this July,” says Lisa Ostiguy, interim provost and vice-president, academic affairs. “He led the implementation of Spectrum, Concordia’s Open Access research repository, he guided renovations to the Vanier and Webster libraries, and he spearheaded numerous initiatives that support our students and faculty.”
During his five-year term, Beasley received both a Concordia Council on Student Life Outstanding Contribution Award and the Concordia Sustainability Champion Award.
“I am grateful I had the opportunity to serve Concordia,” says Beasley. “Thanks to the strong support of students, faculty and administration, its talented librarians and library staff have been able to respond to feedback by developing and delivering new services and enhanced access to a greatly expanded range of resources over the past five years. I believe Concordia’s libraries have a bright and exciting future at the heart of the university’s academic enterprise.”
Beasley came to Concordia in 2008 from Columbia University, where he was director of the Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library. His previous appointments include the positions of head librarian and associate chief curator at the Canadian Centre for Architecture. Beasley holds an MA in Library Studies from University College, and an MA and BA in English Language and Literature from Oxford University.
The appointment of an interim university librarian at Concordia will be announced soon. The Board of Governors will initiate the search process for university librarian at its next meeting and keep the Concordia community informed of developments.