UF names new dean of university libraries

April 16, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Judith Russell, former superintendent of documents at the U.S. Government Printing Office, has been named the University of Florida’s new dean of university libraries, effective May 1.

Russell succeeds Dale Canelas, who retired as director of libraries Feb. 1. Deputy director John Ingram has been serving as interim director.

The position is being elevated from director to dean to reflect the increasing importance of library and information services to the academic and research missions of the university, said Provost Janie Fouke.

“The new dean of libraries will help us to integrate information resources across the university and, most importantly, help us identify the campus library needs for the next decade,” Fouke said. “I fully expect Ms. Russell to play a substantial role in helping to secure the resources necessary to support the campus needs.”

Russell has extensive experience with print and electronic resources, and she said she plans to expand and improve UF library services and facilities for both media.

Russell holds a master’s degree in library science from The Catholic University of America and a bachelor’s degree from Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross. She started working for the U.S. Government Printing Office in 1991 as director of the Office of Electronic Information Dissemination Services. She also has served as deputy director of the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science.

As superintendent of documents, Russell led a staff of 220 staff and managed a $70 million annual department income. Russell said she decided to pursue a position in academia after working with academic and research libraries during her time with the U.S. government.

“I was attracted by the challenge of leading the libraries of a major university into the future,” Russell said. “I look forward to serving such a large and diverse population.”

Her annual salary at UF will be $185,000.