university librarian appointed president of Association of Research Libraries | News | Notre-Dame news

K. Matthieu Ladies, University Librarian Edward H. Arnold at the University of Notre Dame, launched his term as 61st President of the Association of Research Libraries on Thursday, October 7.

“It is an honor and a privilege to begin my term as the 61st President of the ARL. I look forward to working with all of our key stakeholders and interest groups to increase the value we bring to our members. I also look forward to broadening the association’s commitment to diversifying the profession and making it more equitable, especially at this critical time in our society, ”Dames said in an ARL press release about of his appointment.

Notre-Dame was a member of the Association of Research Libraries since 1962. ARL is a non-profit organization of 125 research libraries in Canada and the United States. whose mission is to advance research, learning and scholarly communication. Dames will be the first representative of the members of Notre Dame to be president.

“The University of Notre Dame has long supported the ARL and its efforts to increase the essential role that research libraries play in the advancement of research, teaching and learning in higher education.” , Marie Lynn Miranda, said Charles and Jill Fischer Provost in Notre-Dame. “Matthew Dames is a bold thought leader and global visionary, ideally suited to the leadership of ARL and the major libraries in Hesburgh.”

Dames is a nationally recognized academic in copyright law and a seasoned innovator in research libraries. Throughout his career, he has cultivated strong collaborations inside and outside of academic environments, implementing innovative programs to enhance staff development and successfully secure resources to advance leadership initiatives. transformation of libraries.

Ladies’ holistic vision for leadership takes into account the scholarly communications landscape, which has become extraordinarily complex over the past three decades. He notes that the convergence of content and technology in this space means that institutional missteps can have irreversible consequences for future access to knowledge.

“As President of ARL, part of my job is to help our members stay seated at the table when their institutions make key decisions about the future of research, and to ensure that the results of research will remain accessible in the future, ”Dames said. “At its best, a strong research library system is uniquely positioned as a force for good within an information organization, as we are at the center of efforts to generate and preserve new knowledge. for decades to come.

Dames joined the University of Notre Dame as Edward H. Arnold University Librarian for Hesburgh Libraries in August. As Executive Director, he directs more than 175 faculty and library staff who advance teaching, learning and research at Notre Dame. The Hesburgh Library System includes the Hesburgh Flagship Library (home to the Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship, Medieval Institute Library, University Archives, and Rare Books and Special Collections) and four branch libraries ( Architecture Library, Thomas J. Mahaffey Business Library, Music Library and the Visual Resource Center).

Dames received her BA in Business Administration from Baruch College, City University of New York, as well as an MA in Information Science and PhD in Information Science and Technology from Syracuse University. He received his JD from Northeastern University. Dames continues to conduct research in copyright, politics and history, with an emphasis on the culture and standards of the media industries, and is a lawyer and member in good standing of the Maryland Bar.