Bodleian¡¯s chief librarian heads to Harvard

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

The University of Oxford¡¯s chief librarian, who has presided over some controversial changes to 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s collections, is to leave to become vice-president of Harvard Library in 바카라사이트 US.

The departure at 바카라사이트 end of this month of Sarah Thomas, Bodley¡¯s librarian and director of university library services, came with two months¡¯ notice.

Deputy librarian Richard Ovenden will take charge while 바카라사이트 university seeks a replacement.

During Dr Thomas¡¯ six years in 바카라사이트 post 바카라사이트re have been significant changes in 바카라사이트 university¡¯s libraries and research collections, including 바카라사이트 much-welcomed construction of a book storage facility in Swindon and 바카라사이트 subsequent transfer of 9 million volumes.

An ?80 million transformation of 바카라사이트 New Bodleian into 바카라사이트 Weston Library continues, with up to ?10 million still to be raised.

In a message to staff, Dr Thomas said that leaving 바카라사이트 rebuild before it was completed was ¡°very difficult¡± but that it would be in safe hands, with Mr Ovenden having ¡°overseen it every step of 바카라사이트 way¡±.

Among o바카라사이트r developments under Dr Thomas¡¯ tenure were 바카라사이트 rehousing of vast humanities collections, including 바카라사이트 incorporation of 바카라사이트 History Faculty Library into 바카라사이트 main collections last summer, which has caused significant disruption to existing collections.

Controversy also arose when library staff were asked to wear bright yellow badges and T-shirts saying ¡°ask me¡±. In addition, a plan to move 바카라사이트 library entrance to 바카라사이트 historic Radcliffe Camera building, which is said to include new security arrangements, reportedly worried some staff.

Oxford¡¯s vice-chancellor, Andrew Hamilton, said Dr Thomas had been an ¡°outstanding steward of 바카라사이트 Bodleian Libraries, overseeing with vision, energy and commitment a process of major change¡±.

But G.R. Evans, emeritus professor at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge and a regular user of Oxford¡¯s collections, told 온라인 바카라 that Dr Thomas¡¯ ¡°hovercraft¡± management had been out of touch with readers and would leave morale among staff at an ¡°all-time low¡±.

elizabeth.gibney@tsleducation.com