Sue Searing, LIS librarian and GSLIS affiliated faculty
member, has been appointed interim associate university librarian for user services
at the University of Illinois Library. She will serve in this position for
three years, providing coordination and leadership for a variety of library-wide
programs and initiatives, including information literacy and instruction, staff
training and development, and library assessment.
“These are such exciting times for academic research libraries,” Searing said. “Changes in the higher education and publishing environments have inspired us to rethink our service models. I’m enthusiastic about my expanded role in readying this library for the opportunities that the near-term future will bring.”
Since she arrived on campus 1997, Searing has served as the subject specialist in library and information science and as a valuable resource to GSLIS students and faculty. During her tenure, she has developed LIS print and electronic collections, answered reference questions, consulted on research projects, developed resource guides, and provided information literacy instruction to classes.
“Throughout her tenure as LIS librarian, Sue Searing has looked for ways to enhance services to GSLIS faculty and students, such as expanding resources available in electronic form and holding office hours on site in the LIS building. Given this experience, she is well positioned to lead library-wide development and implementation of new service models, and we look forward to working with her in her new role,” said Linda Smith, GSLIS associate dean for academic programs.
Searing holds a B.A. in Russian language and literature from the State University of New York at Binghamton and an M.A. in library science from the University of Michigan. Her experience includes positions in the libraries at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Yale University. At the University of Illinois Library, she has served at various times as head of research and planning (user services), interim women and gender resources librarian, and coordinator of the social sciences division. Searing has earned several awards, most recently the Distinguished Service Award from the Library Science Alumni Association at Illinois. In addition, she has authored numerous articles, books, and book chapters.