The University of Maryland selected Holly Mercer as the new dean of libraries beginning July 1, this university announced in a campuswide email Wednesday.
Mercer is the senior associate dean and professor for University of Tennessee Libraries. Her appointment comes after this university’s former libraries dean Adriene Lim retired in June 2024. Daniel Mack has served as the interim dean since.
“[Mercer’s] demonstrated commitment to equitable access and scholarly excellence and collaboration will build upon the exceptional work of our libraries staff to elevate our nationally-acclaimed libraries to new levels of achievement,” Jennifer King Rice, this university’s senior vice president and provost, said in the campuswide email.
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At the University of Tennessee, Mercer worked on initiatives such as large-scale research data storage and a pilot program to help faculty with digital projects, according to the campuswide email. She was also the director of the Newfound Press — the University of Tennessee Libraries’ digital library press, the announcement said.
Mercer worked in library or archival roles at other institutions during her career, including Texas A&M University and the South Carolina archives and history department, according to the announcement.
“As Dean, I look forward to building upon the University Libraries’ excellent reputation and foundation to support the evolving needs of college campuses,” Mercer said in a university news release Wednesday.
