Second dean candidate for KU Libraries to present Feb. 16


LAWRENCE — The second candidate for the University of Kansas Libraries dean position will give a public presentation at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in Watson Library in Watson 3 West Event Space.

The presentation will be livestreamed, and the passcode is 384141.

Scott Hanrath

Scott Hanrath is the second of four candidates who will describe his vision and aspiration for the role of libraries in the next 10 years at a flagship university. He currently serves as interim co-dean of KU Libraries and associate dean for research engagement.

The university is seeking a leader who will guide KU Libraries beyond its traditional responsibilities to meet the emerging needs of the university and the community it serves.

The other candidates will be announced approximately two business days before their respective campus visits. All campus presentations will take place in Watson Library in the Watson 3 West Event Space, and they will be livestreamed. Public presentations for each of the candidates are scheduled for the following dates:

  • Nadia Ghasedi: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Feb. 13
  • Scott Hanrath: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Feb. 16
  • Candidate 3: 3-4 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21
  • Candidate 4: 3-4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to offer their impressions and observations of each candidate online. There will be a limited-time feedback survey where members of the KU community will have the chance to share their opinion on each candidate. Feedback on Hanrath’s presentation is due by 5 p.m. Feb. 21. A recording of his presentation will be available on the search website until the survey closes. Additional search information is also available on the Provost Office website.

Each candidate will meet with Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Barbara A. Bichelmeyer, senior administrators, KU Endowment, KU Alumni Association, University Governance and KU Libraries groups, including faculty, staff and the board of advocates. Each candidate will tour KU Libraries’ facilities.

A KU employee for 16 years, Hanrath has been with KU Libraries since 2010. As associate dean for research engagement, he participates in setting strategic directions and aligning resources as a member of KU Libraries’ leadership team. His areas of responsibility include digital initiatives, collections strategy and development, research and learning, and scholarly communications units, as well as collaborative oversight of KU Libraries applications and development with KU Information Technology.

Hanrath has published and presented on topics including usability and library discovery systems, web analytics and library digital platforms, metadata and institutional repositories, and supporting open access policies. His professional service activities have included the DSpace and Steering Leadership groups – where he chaired a product visioning working group – and ArchivesSpace Technical Advisory Council. He has completed the KU Senior Administrative Fellows program, Harvard Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians and Triangle Regional Libraries Network Management Academy.

Hanrath’s previous roles in KU Libraries include assistant dean for digital initiatives and discovery services, director of integrated technology and web services manager. Before joining KU Libraries, he worked as a senior programmer and systems analyst with KU Information Technology and in the Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology at Iowa State University, and as a research associate at a private science and mathematics education research firm.

Hanrath holds a master’s degree in information science from the University of North Carolina and a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from St. Olaf College.

Tue, 02/14/2023

author

Evan Riggs

Media Contacts

Evan Riggs

Office of the Provost

785-864-1085