The University of Utah has named a new dean and director of the J. Willard Marriott Library. Alberta Comer will replace Joyce Ogburn as dean and University Librarian.
It’s quite a job overseeing the Marriott Library. It’s the largest state-funded academic library in the Intermountain West and it holds more than three million books and thousands of digital books, articles, photographs and recordings. Michael Hardman is the Interim Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of Utah. He says that Comer is already skilled and experienced in leading libraries.
“As a leader she is going to enhance the connection to students and the building of relationships. She will be very, very engaged with students," he says. "She’ll be very, very visible and accessible as our university librarian.”
Hardman also says Comer is collaborative with faculty and student-centered, which is important since the library is a gathering place for students on campus.
“The library has transformed into a go-to place on the campus not only for study purposes, but for student gathering, interaction; opportunities to really be a part of campus life,” he says.
Comer comes from Indiana State University, where she served as the dean and associate dean of library services at the Cunningham Memorial Library. She begins her new job on August nineteenth, a week before fall semester at the U begins.