BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After a national search, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has named John M. Meador, Jr. its dean of UAB Libraries. Meador will serve as the inaugural dean for this position effective Aug. 5, 2014.
This new role was created in an effort to further increase the quality of service the libraries provide to the university community. Meador will provide leadership as Mervyn H. Sterne Library and Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences combine resources, which will allow for seamless service to faculty and students, more effective management of the libraries’ resources and increased efficiencies in operations as the libraries shift more resources toward its collections and new user services. Together, the libraries have more than 2 million volumes with over 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 served as both 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 as well as dean of library services and professor at Missouri State University.
“Upon learning of this opportunity, 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 enterprise-wide success. I look forward to working with Provost Lucas, Vice Provost 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 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 a military veteran and has served a number of professional organizations, including the American Library Association.
Meador received his B.A. in English and humanities from the University of Louisville. He obtained a M.A. in English and folklore as well as a M.L.S. in 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.
