Dele Davies, MD, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, today announced a change in leadership for the McGoogan Health Sciences Library.
McGoogan Library Dean Emily McElroy will leave her position on Sept. 1 to become associate dean of research and health sciences at the University of Florida’s George A. Smathers Libraries. Effective Sep. 2, Emily Glenn will assume the role of interim dean of the library.
Dr. Davies thanked McElroy for her nine years of dedicated service to UNMC.
"Emily McElroy was the first leader of the McGoogan Library with the title of dean, and it was clear from the roles she performed — including her job description, scope of activities that included supervision of a faculty group heavily involved in teaching and scholarly work, fundraising activities and staff management — that she was functioning as a dean.
"Under her leadership, the library was transformed. Her constant interactions and engagement with UNMC students, faculty and staff continuously identified ways to improve the quality and content of services provided and integration of technology into the library."
UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, wished McElroy well at her new institution.
"Dean McElroy led the McGoogan Health Sciences Library through a period of unprecedented change," Dr. Gold said. "Her work in building a remarkable library staff, planning and completing the McGoogan Library renovation, the exhibitions within the Wigton Heritage Center and many more achievements are truly remarkable. She leaves a lasting imprint on the UNMC campus."
During her tenure as dean, Dr. Davies said, McElroy helped oversee the creation of the Wigton Heritage Center, a multi-level, 13,000-square-foot facility that includes gallery and digital exhibit space and allows the Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library staff to showcase previously hidden, prized collections to the campus and public.
She also led a 14-month renovation of the 49,500 square foot McGoogan Health Sciences Library that transformed the library space, Dr. Davies said.
"She led her team in engaging with campus partners in bringing different services to include spaces managed by a range of faculty and student services, such as an E-Learning lab, simulation labs, Faculty Commons, Writing Center, Maker Studio, Reflection Rooms and inclusion space," he said. "These spaces provide library users a suite of services for collaboration and consultation with the library serving as a central campus hub."
Glenn started at UNMC in 2016 as education and research services librarian before becoming associate dean in 2020. Before UNMC, Glenn worked for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine out of the University of Washington; as chief librarian at the St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College; and as chief librarian at Tulane University’s Technical Assistance Program for Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
While at UNMC, Glenn received a grant to teach information literacy at the University of Gitwe in Gitwe, Rwanda. She also has received many honors and awards for her leadership, publications and innovation. From 2017-2021, Glenn was the co-chair of the UNMC and Nebraska Medicine LGBTQ+ Employee Alliance.
"Emily Glenn has made a tremendous difference in library programs and services since she arrived in 2016. She has led library efforts around supporting students in our space and programs," McElroy said. "Emily also has elevated our research services, not to mention her work across the colleges in enhancing our liaison services. With her national and regional reputation, the McGoogan Library is in a strong position."
Dean McElroy, Congratulations on your next professional opportunity. Your work at the Library was extraordinary. Best wishes.
Emily, thanks for your incredible leadership while at UNMC! Your colleagues in CAHP greatly appreciate your service and support – best wishes
Congratulations & best wishes on your new adventure Dean McElroy! You will be missed.
Dean McElroy has done such an amazing job and will be missed greatly!
Dean McElroy, you have made such an incredible impact on UNMC. Your work with the many important projects you have led has placed UNMC in a strong position to be successful for many years to come. I wish you continued success in your next role and look forward to working with Interim Dean Glenn, who will also do an incredible job for UNMC.
Dean McElroy, it was a pleasure working with you at the Library of Medicine. I wish you the best in your future endeavors.
Dean McElroy – you are an amazing woman. Thanks for all your hard work and friendship. Good Luck!
Thanks for all you did for UNMC, Dean McElroy. You made a difference. Best of luck in Florida.
Dean McElroy
It was a pleasure working with you on a search committee. Thank you for all your hard work, you made a difference. Best wishes on this new journey.
Dean McElroy – It was a pleasure working with you on the Wittson Hall Renovation and Wigton Heritage Center. Your leadership on those projects made it a success! Congrats and best of luck in Florida!
Both Emilys rock! Congratulations to you both, but Dean McElroy, we’ll miss you!
Dean McElroy, you are an amazing friend and your voice in leadership at UNMC will truly be missed. I am excited that you have found a role where you can further use your talents. And, you will leave the library in great "interim" hands with Emily Glenn! Happy to help however I can.
Will miss one Emily, and happy to continue working with the other Emily. Both have been essential to our research growth and many other aspects here at UNMC.
Emily, you will truly be missed. You have been a great influence on me as I have watched your tenure here at UNMC. Good luck! Emily Glenn will be a fantastic Interim Dean!
Dean McElroy – we are going to miss you very much. You made a difference here at UNMC. Not only the physical improvements but also a more open academic culture was established. I thank you for putting your heart into it. I wish Emily Glenn well in her tenure and I wish you all happiness and success in Florida. You are an amazing person.
Very sorry to hear you are leaving the UNMC family, Dean McElroy, but happy for you at the same time!
You have been a tireless advocate for improving the culture of wellness at UNMC and have put this into action in the library at so many different times and places. Best wishes!
Dean McElroy, thank you for always supporting me and the Environmental Health and Safety Department. We have always enjoyed working with you. Good luck in your new role.
Well-done, Dean McElroy, and best of luck on your next endeavor! Emily, best of luck in your role as interim dean!
Congrats Emily Glenn! Best wishes
Hate to see you leave, Dean McElroy. You have accomplished a great deal and I have enjoyed watching the progress. Good luck to you.
Dean McElroy, congratulations and best of luck. Your dedication to UNMC, our faculty and students has been impactful. I wish you the best in your new position.