Daphne Flanagan, currently University Librarian at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) in the United Arab Emirates, has been appointed Acadia University’s new University Librarian for a six-year term effective October 1, 2018.

Flanagan has been University Librarian at AUS since 2012 having previously served there as the Interim University Librarian for two years. She has also held librarian positions at numerous Canadian institutions including Head of Access and Research Services at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John campus; Acting Head of the Business and Government Publications Library as well as Business Librarian at York University; and Co-ordinator of Information Services at Algoma University College. She holds a BBA from UNB, a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Victoria.

“I’m very pleased to welcome Daphne to Acadia and back to Canada,” said Dr. Heather Hemming, Acadia’s Vice-President Academic. “Her worldwide experience and international outlook fits perfectly with Acadia’s campus culture and she understands the increasingly important role libraries play in organizing information available to all of us through technology. Acadia’s Vaughan Memorial Library is a rich and well-used resource, and Daphne is arriving at an important time in its history.”

In addition to her undergraduate and graduate credential, Flanagan has also completed the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians and the Maricopa Community Colleges’ Academy for Leadership Training and Development. She has organized and presented at numerous international professional conferences and has authored or co-authored papers related to information literacy and research.

"I’m delighted to be returning to live in the Maritimes and it’s an honour to join Acadia University with its eminent history and exciting future,” said Flanagan. “I look forward to working with the talented librarians, archivists and staff in the Vaughn Memorial Library and hope to continue to provide exemplary library services and programs in support of teaching, learning and scholarship."