UNLV is pleased to announce the appointment of Mary “Maggie” Farrell as Dean of University Libraries, effective August 2017.

“Maggie has extensive experience in library science with an impressive list of accomplishments, including having served as dean of libraries at two nationally recognized universities,” said Diane Chase, UNLV executive vice president and provost. “We are eager to bring her innovative leadership to UNLV.”

Farrell comes to UNLV with nearly 30 years of experience. She most recently served as dean of libraries at Clemson University, overseeing a $17 million budget with five facilities since 2015. Prior to Clemson, Farrell was dean of libraries at the University of Wyoming for 13 years, and was associate dean of libraries at Montana State University for six years before that.

Farrell is not new to UNLV. She was head of government publications at the James R. Dickinson Library from 1993 to 1995.

“For me to come back to UNLV is a highlight in my career,” Farrell said. “UNLV is the only research library in the region, leading in innovation and technology for library instruction and research support.”

Farrell added that she intends to expand University Libraries’ contributions to knowledge by growing special and digital collections and collaborating with libraries across the community.

“Our students and faculty are the priority for University Libraries,” she said. “But UNLV is not an island, and as UNLV is supporting economic development and strengthening other aspects of the community, our libraries will follow that lead.”

Farrell holds master’s degrees in public administration and library science from Arizona State University and the University of Arizona respectively. She earned a bachelor’s degree in American Studies at the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

UNLV University Libraries is ranked the 15th most productive library for academic research in the nation, according to a new study published in the May issue of College and Research Libraries. As dean of University Libraries, Farrell will oversee a staff of 136, a budget of more than $20 million and five facilities – the Lied Library, Architecture Studies Library, Music Library and Teacher Development and Resources Library, and the Health Sciences Library.