Meador to be UAB’s inaugural dean of libraries

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john-meador wJohn M. Meador Jr. will be UAB’s first dean of UAB Libraries. Meador, who was chosen after a national search, will assume this new role Aug. 5 to provide leadership as Mervyn H. Sterne Library and Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences combine resources to ensure seamless service, manage library resources and increase operational efficiencies as more resources are shifted to collections and new user services. Together, the libraries have more than 2 million volumes with more than 500,000 titles.

“We are thrilled that John is joining UAB,” said UAB Provost Linda Lucas, Ph.D. “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge in library science, exemplary administrative leadership and a strong to commitment to community outreach.”

Meador has a notable history of managing libraries in higher education. He was dean of libraries and director of Binghamton University Libraries at Binghamton University, The State University of New York. He was dean of libraries and professor at the University of Mississippi and dean of library services and professor at Missouri State University.

“I found myself irresistibly lured by the challenge of becoming UAB’s inaugural dean of libraries, charged with collaboratively merging two well-respected libraries to fashion a model 21st century research library system,” Meador said. “Furthermore, I am impressed that this bold initiative is embraced by the administration of a rapidly growing, premier research institution that views contemporary librarianship as strategic to enterprisewide success. I look forward to working with Provost Linda Lucas, Vice Provost Suzanne Austin and my new colleagues in the Mervyn H. Sterne and Lister Hill libraries to create a holistic, state-of-the-art response to the UAB community’s curricular and research information needs and desires.”

Meador has a notable history of managing libraries in higher education. He was dean of libraries and director of Binghamton University Libraries at Binghamton University, The State University of New York. He was dean of libraries and professor at the University of Mississippi and dean of library services and professor at Missouri State University.

Meador has made numerous presentations on digital preservation internationally and has been awarded a number of grants, including one from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to digitize special library collections. He is military veteran and has served a number of professional organizations, including the American Library Association.

Meador received his bachelor’s degree in English and humanities from the University of Louisville. He obtained a master’s degree in English and folklore and also library science from the University of Texas at Austin. He also received a graduate certificate in public administration from the University of Utah and participated in the Harvard Leadership Institute.

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