Zach Newell, currently a librarian at Salem State University in Massachusetts, has been named the new dean of Booth Library.

According to a press release, Newell has served in various library roles at Salem State over the past 10 years.

Newell’s plans for Booth include examining and “reimagining the relationship” between the campus community and the library’s existing on-campus spaces, while cultivating additional opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration, the press release states.

Newell has a bachelor’s in philosophy, a master’s in art history and a master’s in library science. He is currently working on a doctoral dissertation focused on creativity and information literacy.

As a Fulbright Scholar, Newell served at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt during the region’s recent Arab Spring movement.

“I’m enthusiastic about Zach joining the EIU community,” Provost Jay Gatrell said in a press release. “He brings a deep commitment to student success and understands the critical role Booth Library plays in advancing research, creativity and academic scholarship both on and off campus.”

Newell is set to start his new position on Aug. 1.

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