KU News Release

KU Libraries announces new leadership team

LAWRENCE — Lorraine J. Haricombe, dean of the University of Kansas Libraries, recently announced changes to the organization’s leadership team. Deborah Ludwig and Jennifer Church-Duran have accepted offers to permanently serve as assistant deans effective July 1.

Ludwig will be the assistant dean for collections and scholar services; Church-Duran will be the assistant dean for user services.

In her position, Ludwig will provide leadership for collection development, digital and print preservation, scholar services and international area studies. She will also direct and manage library faculty and staff in collection development, preservation, scholar services and international area studies.

As assistant dean for user services, Church-Duran will provide administrative leadership in embedding the libraries in academic programs/courses to advance the university’s mission of research and instruction. She will direct and manage library faculty and staff in instruction, reference, branch libraries (with the exception of the Kenneth Spencer Research Library), access services and document delivery. She will also lead KU Libraries’ service quality program to assure fulfillment of high-priority, articulated user needs while maintaining a balance between traditional values and user expectations.

“We are fortunate to have identified Deb and Jennifer — both highly qualified internal candidates — for these positions,” said Haricombe. “The knowledge and expertise they bring to the table will undoubtedly further the libraries’ contributions to the intellectual equity of this campus, the community, the state and beyond. I am grateful for their continuing service.”

Ludwig is currently interim dean for collections and services. She joined KU Libraries in December 2001 as the head of library information technology services. Before that appointment, she was director of enterprise academic systems within the KU’s Information Technology division. Ludwig has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from KU and a master’s degree in library and information studies from Texas Woman’s University.

Church-Duran, who is also serving as an assistant dean in an interim capacity, joined KU Libraries in 2006 as the head of Instructional Services. Church-Duran previously was the head of the Information Commons and the head of Media and Computer Services at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. She has a bachelor’s degree in child development from California State University Northridge and a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Kentucky.

Ludwig and Church-Duran will join assistant deans Kent Miller and Mary Roach. Additionally, Sherry Williams will continue her role as interim head of Spencer Research Library through July 1, 2009, or until that position is permanently filled, whichever comes first.

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