Nancy L. Baker named new University librarian

Nancy L. Baker

Baker has been director of libraries at Washington State University, Pullman, Wash., since 1991. There she led the overall administration of operations and personnel at 11 libraries, including branch libraries in Spokane, Vancouver, Olympia, and the Tri-Cities area of south central Washington.

Prior to becoming director, Baker was associate director of Libraries for Public Services, University of Washington-Seattle from 1984 to 1991. As associate director, she was responsible for the major services units in the Suzzallo Allen (Main) and Odegaard Undergraduate Libraries, and personnel consisting of 36 librarians and 54 staff.

Baker has contributed to a number of publications, including the "A Research Guide for Undergraduate Students: English and American Literature," Fifth Edition, which she co-authored with Nancy Huling, and is due out later this year by the Modern Language Association of America.

Baker received a master of arts in library science degree in 1973 from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and a master of arts in English literature from the State University of New York at Binghamton, N.Y. in 1978. She also earned a graduate certificate in public administration from the University of Utah-Salt Lake City in 1983 and a bachelor of arts in English (with honors) from the University of Connecticut in 1972.

Baker taught at the University of Washington Graduate School of Library and Information Science in the Library Management Continuing Education Certificate Program. She also taught at the University of Kentucky College of Library Science and at the State University of New York-Binghamton.

The UI libraries system consists of a main and 11 departmental branch libraries, excluding the independently operated UI College of Law Library. The main and 11 libraries contain more than 3.5 million volumes. The UI libraries make up the largest library system in Iowa and is among 109 research libraries in the United States and Canada. The system ranks 27 in number of volumes held and 35 in expenditures for library materials.

Baker’s appointment concludes a nearly year-long national search to replace Sheila Creth, former UI librarian, who resigned in December 1999 to start a consulting business in the Iowa City area.

Barbara Dewey, director, Information and Research Services, has served as interim university librarian since January 2000.