SU names new University Librarian

SU names new University LibrarianJune 21, 2005Patrick Farrellpmfarrel@syr.edu

Syracuse University has named Suzanne Elizabeth Thorin as University Librarian and Dean of Libraries. Thorin, who comes to Syracuse from Indiana University (IU), will assume her new position Oct. 1. As the senior administrator of the Syracuse University Library system, she will be responsible for moving the library system forward in information technology and collections while working to improve support for the library’s many clients. She will be a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet and the Vice Chancellor’s Cabinet.

“Syracuse University has entered a period of significant development,” says Thorin. “I look forward to being a part of the leadership that will ensure the full integration of the library into this bright future.”

William Garrison, recently named interim librarian, will serve in that role until Thorin arrives on campus.

Thorin has served as the Ruth Lilly University Dean of University Libraries and as associate vice president for digital library development at IU since 1996. Her responsibilities there include planning and policy direction for human resources, budget, facilities, collection development, public and technical services, library technology and fundraising. She has extensive experience in digital library development and launched IU’s Digital Library Program (DLP), a nationally recognized program jointly supported by IU’s University Libraries and University Information Technology Services. DLP has been enormously successful in providing digital services and collections, including audio and video, to students and faculty.

Under Thorin’s leadership, the Indiana University-Bloomington (IUB) Libraries are regarded among the finest research libraries in the nation. The IUB Libraries, comprising 19 separate libraries in Bloomington, hold 6,770,498 bound volumes; they are 13th largest among North American research libraries.

In addition to her responsibilities at IU, Thorin holds leadership positions in a number of national and international professional associations. She is an elected member of the Association of Research Libraries Board of Directors and an active member of the Digital Library Federation, including its Aquifer project. She serves on of the board of directors of the Stanford-based Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe (LOCKSS) preservation project. She recently chaired the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) Library directors group, which brings together 12 major teaching and research universities in the Midwest, including all of the Big Ten institutions. Thorin also serves on the board of the Academic Libraries of Indiana and works closely with the state library and its director.

“Suzanne’s experience as a university librarian meshes exactly with our goal of elevating SU’s library to be among the nation’s best. It is a credit to the hard work of all associated with our libraries that she agreed to come to SU,” says Vice Chancellor and Provost Deborah A. Freund. “It was a privilege to work with Suzanne at Indiana. She knows world-class universities and I’m counting on her to make our library a model for research universities everywhere.”

From 1980-96, Thorin worked at the Library of Congress. As associate librarian there, she administered the Financial Management Office, Information Technology Services, the Human Resources Department and space planning and security, including the library’s police force. She also administered the Library of Congress’ digital programs, served as the official U.S. representative for the G-7 electronic libraries project, made institution-wide decisions as a member of the executive committee and participated in raising funds for the National Digital Library program.

Thorin received a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree in music from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in music from North Park College in Chicago. She also has participated in the Management and Leadership in Education (MLE) program of the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education at Harvard University.

For more information on the programs and facilities of the Syracuse University Library, visit http://library.syr.edu.