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Lyons Named Director of Libraries

Cornell University Library is pleased to announce that Curtis Lyons has been named the Harriet Morel Oxman Director of the Catherwood, Hospitality and Management Libraries.

For the past six months, Lyons served as the interim director of the Catherwood Library and has helped lead consolidation efforts across the three libraries. Lyons has served as director of Cornell's Kheel Center of Labor-Management Documentation and Archives since 2008. His new position is effective Feb. 16.

"Curtis's professionalism, administrative and leadership skills, and thoughtful approach to problem-solving and relationship-building are strong assets for this position," said Associate University Librarian Janet McCue.

"Having each of the deans and the university librarian solidly behind this appointment also makes a strong statement to our communities," said Harry Katz, dean of the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR).

Together with new Associate Director Angela Horne, Lyons will work closely with all three schools' staff and communities to develop relationships and implement a shared vision for a new library model. That model will focus on enhancing services, expanding access to online resources, increasing efficiency and understanding evolving user needs across all three libraries.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to continue Cornell's tradition of excellence in library service in this new consolidated structure," Lyons said. "The idea is to create a new model that takes advantage of the unique intersections and strengths of the three schools and the three libraries. The task is challenging and even a bit intimidating, but the strong support from the deans and the library, in addition to the considerable talents and commitment of the library staff, will assure we remain at a level befitting an institution like Cornell."

Lyons has a strong background in academic libraries. He began his library career as a student assistant at the University of Tennessee and became head of the special collections and archives at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he also served as interim associate university librarian for public services. In these positions, he gained experience with grant writing, donor relations and faculty outreach. He holds a bachelor's degree in history and political science and a master’s degree in history, both from the University of Tennessee.

As the director of Cornell's Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Lyons focused on enhancing access to the over 20,000 linear feet of primary sources the center has collected. That work included obtaining a grant for the detailed processing of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers' Union's collection; creating and improving guides to several collections of important papers; and most recently preparing for the centennial of the Triangle Factory Fire, including revamping the center's popular website documenting the tragedy.

Horne has an extensive knowledge of the management sciences community and demonstrated success leading diverse teams. She has worked at the Johnson Graduate School of Management Library since 1999, beginning as a public services librarian, and was promoted to director in 2007. Horne led the Management Library's win of the 2010 SLABF Centers of Excellence Award for Service and received the Johnson School's Outstanding Contributor Award in 2009, and she holds master's degrees in business administration from both Cornell and Queen's University in Canada.

"We think we have a winning combination," said L. Joseph Thomas, Dean of the S. C. Johnson Graduate School of Management. "With Angela's deep understanding of the needs of the management communities and Curtis' administrative experience and skills in developing relationships with faculty, donors and funding agencies, we can develop a suite of outstanding and innovative services to students and faculty across our communities."

About Cornell University Library

Cornell University is an Ivy League institution and New York's land-grant university. Among the top ten academic research libraries in the country, Cornell University Library reflects the university's distinctive mix of eminent scholarship and democratic ideals. The Library offers cutting-edge programs and facilities, a full spectrum of services, extensive collections that represent the depth and breadth of the university, and a deep network of digital resources. Its impact reaches beyond campus boundaries with initiatives that extend the land grant mission to a global focus. To learn more, visit http://library.cornell.edu.

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