Simon Neame was appointed the new dean of University Libraries, University of Washington Provost Mark Richards announced today. The appointment, pending approval by the UW Board of Regents, is set to begin Sept. 1.
Neame will take the position vacated by Vice Provost of Digital Initiatives and Dean of University Libraries Betsy Wilson, who plans to retire July 1 after a nearly 30-year career with UW Libraries, including 20 years as dean. Richards plans to appoint an interim dean to fill the position until Neame arrives.
“We are fortunate and pleased that Mr. Neame is bringing to the UW his expertise in digitization, open access and preserving special collections,” Richards said. “He recognizes the important role libraries play in student success, as well as in engaging communities, opening access to research, and building partnerships through the university and community.”
As dean of University Libraries, Neame will lead a network of 16 academic research libraries across all three campuses, and the UW Press.
“The UW Libraries is one of the top research libraries in the country, and is a leader in advancing research, access to knowledge and promoting open scholarship,” Neame said.
“I am very excited by the opportunity to work with such an outstanding team at the Libraries and Press, as well as the faculty and students at the UW, and to return to the beautiful Pacific Northwest.”
Currently the dean of Libraries at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Neame leads the W.E.B. Du Bois Library, the Science and Engineering Library and the Wadsworth Library at the Mount Ida campus. As associate university librarian and director of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus, Neame also was responsible for the humanities and social sciences library, the health sciences library and several subject libraries.
Neame has demonstrated his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, work he plans to continue and expand at the UW. He has led a number of initiatives aimed at preserving Indigenous knowledge and amplifying the voices and stories of underrepresented communities through digitization programs, such as his work with the archives of civil rights activist and writer W.E.B. Du Bois. Neame’s own research explores the intersection between libraries and museums, and opportunities for integration across collections through open discovery systems.
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Neame holds a bachelor’s degree in English and history from the University of Victoria and a master of library and information studies from the University of British Columbia.
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area.
He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com. Gary is also the co-founder of infoDJ an innovation research consultancy supporting corporate product and business model teams with just-in-time fact and insight finding.
From a Bleeping Computer Report: Over 5.4 million Twitter user records containing non-public information stolen using an API vulnerability fixed in January have been shared for free on a hacker ...
From the CBC: A new project from the University of Calgary is creating 3D digital records of some Alberta residential schools. The Taylor Family Digital Library, in consultation with Indigenous ...
From My Modern Met: Situated near Nieuwmarkt station in Amsterdam is a hidden gem for comic fans. Founded in 1968, Lambiek is the oldest comic shop in the world. And while ...
From the CBC: The Iqaluit public library has been closed for more than five weeks and according to the Government of Nunavut, which operates the facility, it will be closed ...
From a Newsday Report: Districts from both Nassau and Suffolk — including those in Amityville, Bethpage, Baldwin, Herricks, South Huntington and Valley Stream 13, have upgraded their libraries in recent ...
From the New York Public Library Focusing on the central idea that everything at the Library is always a deal (i.e. free!), this year’s campaign will appeal to anyone who’s laughed at ...
From LAC: Library and Archives Canada (LAC) celebrated today the opening of its new state-of-the-art Preservation Storage Facility in Gatineau, Quebec. A plaque was unveiled and guests toured the site ...
The article linked below was recently published by Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Title Why Don’t We Share Data and Code? Perceived Barriers and Benefits to Public Archiving Practices ...
From Johns Hopkins University: A new map of the universe displays for the first time the span of the entire known cosmos with pinpoint accuracy and sweeping beauty. Created by ...
Archives NZ Reinstates Online Search Tool After Data Mishap (via RNZ) One Third of Iceland’s Population Reads a Book Every Day (via Iceland Monitor) International Federation of Library Associations and ...
From a NARA Announcement: A new, modernized National Archives Catalog launched online today (11/22). The new Catalog’s focus on scalability will allow the agency to reach its goal to get 500 ...
