Last fall, the Office of the Interim Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) initiated an external review of the Queen’s library. The intent of the review was to provide an objective assessment of the current state of and future opportunities for the library, and to inform the appointment of the next Vice-Provost and University Librarian.

The review was undertaken by Vivian Lewis, University Librarian at McMaster University, and Jonathan Bengtson, University Librarian at the University of Victoria, who met with many individuals and groups from inside and outside the library over two days at the end of October. The reviewers also considered an internal report prepared with input from many staff in the Library, a confidential summary of several focus group meetings, and written comments submitted by members of the community.

After their visit the reviewers submitted a written report containing observations and recommendations. The reviewers made particularly useful observations about the library’s organizational structure, pace of change, climate, communications, budget, and the search for the new librarian.

“I’d like to thank the reviewers and the members of the university community who participated in the review,” says Interim Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Tom Harris.  “The findings and recommendations in the report will be very helpful in charting the path forward for the future of the library”.

A summary of the report, including a full list of the reviewers’ recommendations, has been circulated to the university community and is posted on the Provost’s website. The report will assist the committee which will be formed to commence an international search for a new Vice-Provost and University Librarian.