Trzeciak named university librarian at Washington University in St. Louis

Will replace Shirley K. Baker, set to retire June 30

Jeffrey G. Trzeciak, university librarian at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, has been named university librarian at Washington University in St. Louis, effective July 1, 2012, announced Provost Edward S. Macias, PhD, executive vice chancellor and the Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences.

Trzeciak (Credit: McMaster University)

Trzeciak replaces Shirley K. Baker, vice chancellor for scholarly resources and dean of University Libraries, who will retire after 23 years of service to WUSTL on June 30.

“Libraries are critically important to Washington University’s mission in supporting our strong programs of teaching and scholarship.” Macias says. “Library materials and the library’s role in our work are changing rapidly today.

“A strong search committee of faculty, students and staff, chose Jeff Trzeciak, who is very well-positioned to move our library in new directions needed to meet the challenges of the future.”

The 16-member search committee to identify candidates for the position of university librarian was chaired by Henry L. “Roddy” Roediger III, PhD, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and dean of academic planning in Arts & Sciences.

“Jeff Trzeciak stood out in our search from the start because of his innovative uses of technology and his ability to integrate the McMaster library with many departments and programs on campus” Roediger says. “The search committee felt that Jeff was the right person to lead the Washington University Libraries into the future.”

As university librarian at WUSTL, Trzeciak will manage University Libraries’ $25 million annual budget, more than 135 professional and support staff, and collections and service points in nine locations on the Danforth and West campuses.

Trzeciak also will provide leadership and develop and implement strategic plans that continue the integration of the libraries into the intellectual life of the university. He will collaborate with others throughout the university to help University Libraries meet the constantly changing needs of the academic community.

“I am very excited about joining Washington University, an institution with an international reputation for academic achievement and innovation,” Trzeciak says. “Beyond that reputation, however, what drew me to the university was the collegial environment of support I encountered among its various faculties and staff. Clearly Washington University not only encourages excellence, but also provides the means necessary to achieve it.”

Trzeciak brings more than 20 years of experience working in academic libraries. As university librarian at McMaster University since 2006, Trzeciak was responsible for the management of all operations of the McMaster University Library and oversaw a staff of more than 100 full-time employees.

Trzeciak also served as a member of McMaster’s Senior Management Team, the Provost’s Senior Staff, Undergraduate Council and Graduate Council and as an adjunct professor of multimedia and communications.

At McMaster, Trzeciak also managed Classroom Audio-Visual Services, a staff of 10 audio-visual specialists who support classrooms, lecture theatres and other non-traditional learning spaces.

In 2011, under the leadership of Trzeciak, McMaster began development of the Lewis and Ruth Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship, a $2.5 million project funded by the Lewis and Ruth Sherman Foundation to support and promote research and scholarship. The centre will open in 2012.

Before joining McMaster, Trzeciak served as associate dean of the Wayne State University Library System in Detroit from 2004-06. In that role, Trzeciak provided senior-level leadership and oversight for library systems operations, assisted with strategic and annual planning processes, and led an initiative to improve customer service, among other duties.

As associate dean, he also coordinated external programs and outreach to the urban community and led a number of community-based library projects, including collaborations with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Michigan Opera Theatre.

Also at Wayne State, Trzeciak held the positions of director of library computing and media services (2001-2004) and assistant director for systems (1998-2001).

From 1990-98, Trzeciak was head of systems at Wright State University Libraries in Dayton, Ohio. He was a member of the Automated Library Systems Office at the Dayton Metro Library from 1986-1990.

Trzeciak earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education at the University of Dayton in 1987 and a master’s degree in library sciences from Indiana University Bloomington in 1991.