Dr. Heidi Julien Appointed as New Director of UA School of Library and Information Studies

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dr. Heidi Julien, professor and graduate coordinator in the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, has been named director of the School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) at The University of Alabama, following an international search. Her appointment is effective Aug. 16.

“Our College is extremely pleased to have an internationally recognized scholar and administrator like Dr. Julien stepping into the director position for SLIS,” said Dr. Loy Singleton, dean of the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences, in announcing the appointment. “The ability to successfully attract a scholar of her high caliber and experience as director is a tribute to all that the SLIS faculty, students and supporters have done to make it one of the best-known, nationally ranked schools of library and information studies.”

Julien holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in library and information studies from the University of Alberta, and a Ph.D. in library and information science from the University of Western Ontario. Her academic career has included appointments at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, and at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Julien’s research in human information behavior, information literacy, and information policy has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and has been presented internationally and published in a wide range of journals. An award-winning teacher, Julien has taught graduate courses in the areas of reference, information retrieval, information literacy, information policy, and management. She has also served as president of the Canadian Association for Information Science, director (external relations) for the Association for Library and Information Science Education, and Chair of SIG USE in the American Association for Information Science and Technology.

“Dr. Julien is at the top of her form as a vital faculty member with strong research productivity,“ said Professor Steve Miller, chair of the director search committee.  “In our interviews with her we were impressed with her global vision of LIS education and building a community of scholars at home. The faculty of the School of Library and Information Studies is delighted that Dr. Julien has chosen to help shape the future of our school, and we greatly look forward to working with her.”

Julien said, “It is an honor to join a school so committed to high quality teaching and to innovative programs, to diversity, to community service, and to exploring important research questions. This leadership position provides an opportunity to build on the superb foundations laid by Elizabeth Aversa, and I look forward to collaborating with SLIS students, with my new colleagues, and with the local professional community.”

Dr. Elizabeth Aversa, professor and director of the school since 2003, is stepping down from her administrative position on June 30, and will take a sabbatical leave during the fall of 2011. She will return to the faculty in January 2012 to continue teaching and research in the field.