Binghamton University has begun its search for a new dean of libraries.

John Meador, who held the position for 11 years, left BU this summer to become the dean of libraries at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. A committee chaired by Anne McCall, dean of Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, and appointed by Don Nieman, executive vice president for Academic Affairs and provost, is searching for the next suitable candidate to take Meador’s place.

The committee members include faculty from in and outside the libraries, as well as library staff, an undergraduate student, a graduate student and alumni representing the BU Foundation Board of Directors and the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

According to Nieman, the dean of libraries has many responsibilities including managing the libraries’ budgets, overseeing the library staff and working with the deans of the six schools at BU to enhance the libraries’ accessibility to students and faculty. Nieman says the committee is taking initiative with the search and is reaching beyond normal means to find candidates.

“We have hired an executive search firm to help us with the search,” Nieman wrote in an email. “The search firm identifies candidates across the country who have strong reputations for leadership and then contacts them, encouraging them to consider applying.”

After selecting eight to 10 semifinalists, the committee will interview the individuals over video conference and then narrow the group down to three or four candidates for public interviews on campus. All members of the campus community will be encouraged to come and share their feedback, but the decision will ultimately be made by Nieman and President Harvey Stenger.

Although prerequisites include having a master’s degree in library science and previous management experience in a university library, Nieman said the criteria for the candidates goes beyond education and job titles.

“As for the qualities I’m looking for, they include: excellent judgment and exceptional communication skills; strong leadership, collaboration and team building skills,” Nieman wrote. “The ability to be a champion for the libraries on and off campus.”

While the committee continues its search, the provost has asked Susannah Gal to serve as the interim dean of libraries. Gal has been a faculty member in the Biological Sciences department for 20 years.

“I’m learning a ton about what activities the library faculty and staff do to support the research and teaching missions of the university,” Gal wrote in an email. “I’m regularly discussing with faculty and staff about how we are doing our jobs, ways we can do things better and what we can do to publicize our services and support for the students, faculty and staff of the University. So far, it’s been a great experience.”

Gal said she hopes the new dean will continue to support the missions of the University and provide the libraries with a vision for the future.

“I hope that the new Dean will realize all the creative and hard working people we have in the Libraries and the ways that we already serve many of the needs of the university,” Gal wrote.

The committee will screen applications in early 2015, and a new dean of libraries is expected to be chosen after spring break.