May 1, 2008

CONTACT:
Liz Babiarz
University Relations
(404) 413-1356

Georgia State University names new dean of libraries

Georgia State's new dean of libraries Dean Nancy H. Seamans

ATLANTA – Following a national search, Georgia State University Provost Ron Henry has named Nancy H. Seamans as Georgia State’s new dean of libraries, effective August 4.

Seamans is currently an associate university librarian and director of research and instructional services at the University of Iowa. She will succeed Charlene Hurt, who is retiring after nearly 11 years at the helm of the Georgia State Library.

“The University Library has made important advances under Charlene Hurt’s leadership as dean and it is felt that Nancy Seamans will be a dean of vision to take the library into the future,” Provost Henry said.

Seamans has worked in academic, health sciences, corporate and public libraries during her 30 year career. She came to the University of Iowa in March 2005 from Virginia Tech, where she finished her five-year tenure as the director of instruction, reference and outreach for the libraries.

As Georgia State’s dean of libraries, Seamans, who describes herself as a “user-focused librarian,” said she will continue to develop library support for university programs and serve faculty, students, staff and the community.

“It really is wonderful to come to an institution where the facility is already in great shape, so there’s no need to focus on renovations,” Seamans said. “Instead, we can focus more attention on services – trying to be even more integrated into classes and looking for opportunities to do more outreach to faculty and students.”

Another top priority for Seamans will be achieving the university’s goal of gaining membership for the library to the Association of Research Libraries, a nonprofit organization of 123 research libraries in the U.S. and Canada that share similar research missions, aspirations and achievements.

Seamans holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree in library science from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and doctorate in instructional technology from Virginia Tech.  She has authored and co-authored numerous journal articles and is a member of national professional organizations. Her research interests include information literacy, electronic theses and dissertations and assessment of library teaching.

“She’s got an excellent record and excellent credentials at wonderful institutions,” Hurt said. “I’m very happy for the library and hope it continues to grow to serve the needs of the university faculty, students and staff. “

Hurt oversaw the $23 million library transformation and reorganized the library’s administration to be more focused on serving its 3 million annual visitors.