BGSU names new library dean

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Sara Bushong has been appointed the next dean of Bowling Green State University’s University Libraries, effective May 9. The announcement was made yesterday (May 10) by Dr. Kenneth Borland, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

An associate professor, Bushong has been a member of the library faculty since 2000 and has served in a number of capacities, including interim and associate dean and chair of the Archival Collections and Branches.

Following the departure of former dean Kay Flowers, the library staff and its two advocate boards have shown strong support for Bushong’s leadership, Borland said.

Bushong originally joined the faculty as Head Librarian of the Curriculum Resource Center. Dedicated to the importance of books and reading to education for all, her research and publication interests include information literacy, WebQuests, children and young adult literature, and the integration of technology resources into the academic curriculum. She has provided outreach to area school districts and presented on literacy and engaging students with reading at numerous professional conferences.

In 2007, she was invited to speak with members of Congress in Washington, D.C., as a co-presenter on the importance of the various types of libraries and the role of academic libraries.

She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses for the School of Teaching and Learning and has co-led some innovative summer classes in information literacy for K-12 teachers.

Before coming to BGSU, Bushong held posts as District Elementary Librarian and Technology Curriculum Coordinator for the Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools, and choral music teacher in Whigham, Ga.

She earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Education degree in Library and Educational Media from BGSU, and a Master of Library Science degree from Kent State University.

###

(Posted May 11, 2011 )