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News Release

Last modified: Monday, September 26, 2005

Steele named interim dean of IU Libraries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 26, 2005

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Patricia A. Steele, a leader in statewide library associations and longtime Indiana University librarian, was named Ruth Lilly Interim Dean of University Libraries by IU's Board of Trustees, who approved the two-year appointment at their Sept. 16 meeting.

Steele has served the IU Libraries most recently as head of Customer and Access Services and as coordinator of Academic Information and Customer Services. She was formerly executive associate dean, as well as acting dean before the arrival of Suzanne Thorin in 1996. In a career that began at IU in 1975, she has served as head of several campus libraries, including the Education Library, the School of Library and Information Science Library, and the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Library.

"I'm delighted for the campus and for the library that Pat Steele has once again agreed to serve as interim dean," said Kenneth R.R. Gros Louis, senior vice president for academic affairs and IU Bloomington chancellor. "She is fully knowledgeable about everything in the libraries and well-known and respected by other campus administrators."

Steele is currently president of the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees. Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon appointed her to the Indiana State Library Historical Board in 2000, and she was reappointed by Gov. Joseph Kernan for a consecutive three-year term. She was twice president of the Indiana Library Federation, a statewide association of library and media center professionals, and is currently president of the Indiana Library Trustee Association.

"This is a pivotal time for libraries," Steele said. "Our roles as librarians are changing, just as the expectations of students and faculty are changing. I am pleased to be guiding a library already so well regarded for its leadership and the quality of its services, collections and staff."

The IU Libraries hold more than 9 million bound volumes and 27 million other items. The libraries in Bloomington, the flagship campus, include 19 libraries that support teaching and research in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. The Bloomington libraries employ approximately 87 librarians, 60 professional/administrative staff, 185 support staff and 700 students. The annual operating budget of the IU Bloomington Libraries is more than $27 million.

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