Veteran Library Administrator Named Dean of University Libraries

The University of Maryland today announced that a two-decade leader in university libraries has been named dean of University Libraries, effective Aug. 19. Adriene Lim will work with constituents across campus to develop and implement a vision and strategic plan for the Libraries, including optimizing programs and campus learning resources, and ensuring the highest level of service to the campus community.

“To step into this role at the University of Maryland is a great honor,” said Lim. “It’s a pivotal time for the university, and the Libraries’ mission is a crucial one for advancing campus goals for teaching, learning and research. With great excitement, I look forward to joining my new colleagues to work on important initiatives and spearhead innovation with partners across the university, the state and beyond.”  

Lim has served since 2014 as dean of libraries and Philip H. Knight Chair at the University of Oregon, where she has led a complex library organization. In that role, Lim led hands-on work for technology-intensive library operations; restructured and reinvigorated organizations, systems and workflows; developed and advanced librarians and library workers; improved numerous service models, policies, programs and collections; led and participated in fundraising initiatives and proposals; and initiated and completed major building renovation and space-repurposing projects.

“Dr. Lim’s 20 years of extensive leadership and management experience will be a great asset to our university,” said UMD Senior Vice President and Provost Mary Ann Rankin. “I am enthusiastic about the future of the University Libraries under Dr. Lim’s leadership.”

Lim will replace Babak Hamidzadeh, who has served as interim dean of libraries since July 2015. In an email to the campus community, Rankin thanked him for his service on behalf of herself and President Wallace D. Loh. “We are very grateful for his dedicated work and leadership.

Prior to joining the University of Oregon, Lim was dean of libraries at Oakland University and interim university librarian and associate university librarian for resource services at Portland State University. She previously served as head of digital library services at Wayne State University and the systems librarian and head of database management for the Detroit Area Library Network.

Lim serves on the boards of the Association of Research Libraries and the Center for Research Libraries. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Wayne State University, a Master of Library and Information Science degree from Wayne State University, and a Ph.D. in library and information science from Simmons University.