Second candidate for Dean of Libraries makes the rounds
The second finalist for the position of Dean of Libraries at USU is visiting campus this week.
Richard W. Clement of the University of Kansas spoke at an open forum Tuesday afternoon after a day of interviews on campus. Members of the library staff constituted most of the audience. They questioned him about his leadership style, his vision for the future of libraries, what he considers his greatest accomplishment and even what his favorite material to read is.
Clement is currently the head of the department of special collections at the Kenneth Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas. He has attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Chicago, earning a bachelor’s degree in history, a master’s degree in English and another in library science.
He has held librarian positions at Illinois State University, the University of Chicago, the University of Alabama and Emporia State University. He has been involved in international study programs in Peru and the Mediterranean.
“I come from a different kind of background,” Clement said at the open forum. “I come out of the world of rare manuscripts and archives. It’s unusual for someone from my branch of librarianship to become a dean.”
Clement said his varied background dealing with all aspect of libraries makes him a solid candidate for the job.
“Most people going up the ladder in a library will specialize in some area,” he said. “I have experience all around.”
According to the Provost’s Office’s Web site, the dean of libraries “will provide dynamic and visionary leadership of the Merrill-Cazier Library.” The position is one of academic leadership, and the individual chosen will have the rank of librarian, which is equivalent to the rank of professor, according to the Provost’s Office’s Web site. The dean will report to the Executive Vice President and Provost Ray Coward and will “represent the informational needs of constituents to the university.”
Another candidate for the position, Anne E. Langley, visited campus Oct. 11-12. The third and final candidate, Gregg E. Sapp, will have his open forum on Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. in the Merrill-Cazier Library Room 101.
-elizabeth.lawyer@aggiemail.usu.edu