February 8, 1996
Contact: Jamie Lawson at (615) 322-2706
Paul Gherman to direct Vanderbilt University's libraries
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Paul Gherman, currently director of libraries
at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, has been named University librarian
at Vanderbilt effective July 1. He will direct the Jean and Alexander Heard
Library.
The decision to appoint Gherman is the result of a national search following
the resignation of former Director and Associate Provost Malcolm Getz in
the summer of 1994. Getz returned to teaching and research in the Department
of Economics and Business Administration in the fall of 1995 as an associate
professor of economics. Shirley Hallblade has been acting director of libraries
since June 1994. She has been associate director of libraries at Vanderbilt
since 1984.
Gherman brings to Vanderbilt wide and successful experience at various levels
of library employment, said Paul Elledge, professor of English who served
as chair of the search committee that recommended Gherman. A consultant
to the committee identified Gherman as one of the 10 best library directors
in the country.
"Gherman is a proven leader of vision," Elledge said. "The
committee saw him as informed, sensible, imaginative and stimulating. His
strategies for bringing Vanderbilt into the forefront of 21st century libraries
are smart, realistic and exciting."
Before joining Kenyon, Gherman had previously served as special assistant
to the vice president and director of libraries at Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University. A graduate of Wayne State University with
a master's degree in library science from the University of Michigan, Gherman
has also held positions with the libraries at Iowa State, Pennsylvania State
and Wayne State in Detroit.
"Paul Gherman is exceptionally knowledgeable about and committed to
all aspects of library development, from collections of major works to the
most advanced uses of information technology," said Provost Thomas
G. Burish. "He is committed to continuing to support the many strengths
of our library system and to expanding into new areas. His expertise and
manner inspired confidence and excitement among those who met him."
Provost Burish also praised the Library Search Committee for its work. "The
committee conducted an exceptionally thorough, active, informed search over
the past two years. They set very high standards for themselves and the
University and then devoted uncommon energy and effort to meeting those
standards."
Gherman also brings "technological sophistication" to Vanderbilt's
libraries, said Elledge, "along with respect toward those less enthusiastic
about the digitization of information."
While at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Pa., Gherman implemented
the "Blacksburg Electronic Village Project." The multimillion
dollar effort between Virginia Tech, the town of Blacksburg and C&P Telephone/Bell
Atlantic Company brings high-speed data connections to off-campus students,
homeowners, businesses and K-12 schools in Blacksburg, beginning the implementation
of a virtual library of the future.
Elledge expressed his thanks to the search committee, the University's librarians
and library administration, and the Provost's office for their help and
cooperation during the search.
Nine campus libraries Eskind Biomedical, Central, Divinity, Education,
Law, Management, Music, Science and Engineering, and Special Collections
constitute the Jean and Alexander Heard Library.
-VU-
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This document last updated Jan. 9, 1997