The search for a permanent dean of library services began recently and is not expected to be completed until next summer.

Mark Engelbrecht, Dean of the College of Design and head of a 16-member library services dean search committee, said he would like to see as many qualified applicants as possible apply for the position.

“We have just begun advertising now for the position,” he said. “We will be looking at the pool of applications near the first of December, and we hope to have the finalists for the position on campus sometime in February.”

According to Engelbrecht, candidates for the position are required to have a master’s of library science degree from an American Library Association-accredited institution.

Other necessary qualifications for the dean position include acknowledged national standing in the position, experience at the upper level of research library administration and experience in integrating emerging technologies and electronic resources into traditional library services.

Interviews for the position should be conducted in early spring of next year and the position should be filled around July 1 of next year, Engelbrecht said.

The 16-member search committee was determined by the Provost’s Office, he said.

“Half of the committee members represent the library, and the other represent other academic departments on campus,” he said.

Engelbrecht said he is unsure whether Olivia Madison, current interim dean of library services, will seek the permanent position or not.