Search for the next dean of Smathers Libraries

Joe Glover, Interim Provost

A search committee chaired by Mike Reid, dean of the College of Health and Human Performance, will head the search for the next dean of Smathers Libraries.

The current dean, Judy Russell, will step down effective July 15, 2025.

Dean Russell was named Smathers Libraries’ first dean in 2007. Under her leadership, the libraries have expanded their print and digital collections, added numerous services and undergone extensive renovations.

Highlights of Dean Russell’s tenure include:

• Major renovations for the Marston Science Library and Education Library and improvements to the system’s other four libraries.
• Gifts of the Gore Vidal Collection, the Bob Hope Collection, the papers of Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, and expansion of other collections.
• Growth of the UF Digital Collections — now with more than 450 collections —and a new user interface to tap these resources.
• New or expanded facilities to house 2.6 million books for the UF community and other academic libraries.
• Increased external grants, including major grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Mellon Foundation.
• Creation of the Academic Research Consulting and Services Department to provide expertise to faculty researchers.

Dean Russell served as a representative of UF among academic libraries and on library policy groups statewide and nationally; chaired the UF Community Campaign in 2014 and 2019 and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Oak Hammock. She plans to take a one-year research leave after stepping down.

Please join me in extending congratulations and best wishes to Dean Russell.