May 26, 2007
Contact: Jo Ann Lloyd
Cal Poly Public Affairs
(805) 756-1511; polynews@calpoly.edu
University of Michigan Arts, Engineering Libraries Director Selected To Lead Cal Poly Kennedy Library
SAN LUIS OBISPO – A veteran librarian known for supporting research and instruction in higher education through the innovative use of emerging technologies has been appointed dean of library services at Cal Poly.
Michael D. Miller, current director of the four Arts and Engineering Libraries and interim director of the three Health Sciences Libraries at the University of Michigan, will succeed Hiram Davis, who is retiring in June after 10 years of service to Cal Poly. Miller will begin his new position effective Aug. 14.
“Michael Miller’s vision, creativity and experience in planning and integrating technology into library resources will be a real asset to the entire university community,” said Cal Poly Interim Provost Bob Detweiler. “Michael’s leadership and innovative use of information technology will be vital in supporting our instructional and research efforts, especially as we focus on greater collaboration among academic disciplines.”
At Cal Poly, Miller will oversee a professional staff of 13 librarians, 37 support staff and a budget of $5.2 million. He will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans for the evolving role of the library, which includes integrating digital resources and automating library systems and services.
Miller, director of the Arts and Engineering Libraries at the University of Michigan since 1995, has been an innovator in the use of technology to collect and utilize information resources, and in creating virtual and physical learning environments. “Academic libraries are in the midst of transformative change … and will continue to change for the foreseeable future,” he said.
At the University of Michigan, Miller has served as interim director of the Health Sciences Libraries since 2004 and as interim director of the Science Libraries from 2003 to 2004. While there, he worked closely with the information and academic technology staff in the Duderstadt Center, a 250,000-square-foot state-of-the art “learning commons” facility.
Miller was an adjunct assistant professor in the U-M’s School of Art & Design.
He also served as University Center librarian at the Johnson University Center Library at George Mason University from 1994 to 1995, head librarian at the J. Henry Meyer Memorial Library at Stanford University from 1987 to 1992, and was the founding director of the Avery Fisher Center for Music and Media at New York University from 1984 to 1987.
A resident of Ypsilanti, Mich., Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in management from Long Island University in 1971, a Master of Science degree in library and information science from Long Island University in 1972, and a Master of Professional Studies degree in interactive telecommunications from New York University in 1993.
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