The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Ivan Gaetz as the new dean of libraries. He will replace Maggie Farrell, who has accepted a position at Clemson University. Gaetz is currently the library director at Colorado College, and he has also served in positions at the libraries of Regis University, Regent College and Columbia University.
Gaetz says he isn't concerned by budget reductions proposed by the Board of Trustees. "The library has good, solid funding, and in speaking with some of the library faculty, we believe we can accommodate what cutbacks are needed in the short term," he said.
In fact, Gaetz plans to raise additional funding from donors and existing endowments to build the library into a major research center and gain membership into the Association of Research Libraries, which would require an increase in staff and data collection. "It's a wonderful opportunity that just would not come my way very often, and the opportunities for helping to take the library to the next level in step with the university developments and vision of the university. So it's an opportunity I jumped at when it came my way," Gaetz said.
Gaetz will start his new position July 1.