The Dartmouth College libraries came under new leadership this week as John Crane, formerly the Deputy Librarian of the College, stepped up to fill the interim Dean of Libraries and Librarian of the College position.
Richard Lucier resigned from his three-year post as librarian on Jan. 30. He had given notice of his resignation via email last September before a committee could convene to determine whether they would renew his contract
Crane has worked at the College for 25 years and was instrumental in the construction of the new Berry library.
"My role as interim director will be to lead the library during this period while [the committee] searches for a new director. Library services will continue as usual," Crane said.
The College has formed a search committee, chaired by French and Italian professor Katharine Conley, to find Lucier's permanent replacement. Conley will work with nine other committee members, including professors, library staff and one undergraduate, Cayelan Carey '06. The committee has posted an advertisement detailing its search for a new Dean of Libraries on the Dartmouth digital library website.
Crane officially assumed the position of Librarian on Monday and said the search committee is looking exclusively outside the library to find candidates. The website encourages those with suggestions and nominations to contact the committee.
"The search committee is very anxious to be hearing from the community," Crane said, adding that he hopes students will offer input.
The interim librarian declined to name any specific plans for the future of the College libraries, but noted there is "progress and activity on lots of fronts -- the library is a large and dynamic organization, host to many departments and programs."
Crane cited many responsibilities he will assume as librarian, including serving as a guide within the community as well as responding to the needs of individuals.
The job of librarian is "overall leadership and coordination of library services, including listening to faculty and students and making sure that our services are attuned to what faculty and students want and need for both teaching and scholarship," Crane said.
Both the search committee and the College library system receive input from the Student Assembly and other faculty and undergraduate organizations, and will continue to do so throughout the search process.
Crane expressed a sense of tradition and service within the College libraries.
"I think that the library has a long and rich history in providing information services and my goal is to make sure that people are getting what they need," Crane said.
Lucier's decision last year to merge Sherman Art Library into the larger Berry complex and make Sanborn Library into a reading room provoked a vast outcry from faculty, students and community members who use those facilities.
