Neil Romanosky has been recommended as dean of Michigan State University Libraries by MSU Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko. His appointment is set to begin on Sept. 11, pending approval by the MSU Board of Trustees during its Sept. 8 meeting.
Romanosky currently serves as dean of university libraries at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, a position he has held since 2019. His accomplishments in this role include developing a strategic plan for the libraries with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion; overseeing the alignment of the Ohio University Press and five regional campus libraries into the university libraries portfolio; working with campus partners to launch libraries-led, university-wide task forces on research data management and improving student study spaces; and spearheading Ohio University’s joining the HathiTrust, allowing for expanded university access to digital collections and other collaborative academic and research tools and services. In addition, Romanosky currently represents Ohio University within the Association of Research Libraries, the Center for Research Libraries, HathiTrust and OhioLINK.
“Dr. Romanosky possesses the leadership experience and professional background to continue to advance the strategic plan for MSU Libraries and infuse the initiative with new ideas as we face opportunities and challenges in the years ahead,” said Jeitschko. “We look forward to welcoming him to our community of scholars this fall.”
Romanosky was previously associate chief librarian for science research and information and director of Gerstein Science Information Centre at the University of Toronto Libraries. He also has held appointments at the New York University Health Sciences Library, the Network of the National Library of Medicine and Columbia University Libraries. Prior to his career in libraries, Romanosky spent a decade as an editor in technical and reference publishing for publishers and technical professional organizations such as Wiley, Facts On File and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
“I am thrilled to be joining both MSU and MSU Libraries at this moment in time,” Romanosky said. “It is evident to me that MSU Libraries is a central player in the advancement of the MSU 2030 Strategic Plan, and that MSU Libraries is already engaged in important work to that end. I believe that libraries serve a unique and powerful role as connectors and catalysts — not only in the creation of new knowledge, but also in forging stronger relationships among people, institutions and communities. MSU Libraries is clearly on a path to model the dynamic and evolving role of the 21st-century research library for the university, the state and beyond. It will be an honor to be part of that work.”
Romanosky holds a doctorate and a master’s in organizational development and change from Fielding Graduate University; a master’s in information and library science from Pratt Institute; a master’s in communication and information studies from Rutgers University; and a bachelor’s degree in English from Rider University. He was a recipient of the 2014 Medical Library Association’s Ida and George Eliot Prize. Additionally, Romanosky was a 2013-2015 Association of Research Libraries Leadership Fellow and a 2009 American Library Association Emerging Leader.
Romanosky will succeed Interim Dean Terri Miller, who has been at the helm of MSU Libraries since July 2022.