Salisbury, MD—Salisbury University has announced Joan Ruelle as the new dean of libraries following a national search. Ruelle comes to SU having served as the dean of the Carol Grotnes Belk Library at Elon University since 2012.
“Joan brings a wealth of experience to SU and will help us enhance our reputation as one of the top collegiate libraries in the U.S.,” said Dr. Laurie Couch, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “She has a history of attention to student success, and that focus will only help further the academic interests of our students and faculty.”
“I am excited to join the team – to become part of the flock – and to discover together how we can leverage the strengths of our libraries and cultural institutions to amplify and deepen our support for the mission of Salisbury University,” said Ruelle.
Ruelle will oversee the Patricia A. Guerrieri Academic Commons and all library services, including the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, the Curriculum Resource Center and the new Museum of Eastern Shore Culture in downtown Salisbury. The SU Libraries has been named a “Best College Library” by the Princeton Review four times.
“The Guerrieri Academic Commons is a truly stunning facility that was thoughtfully designed to facilitate student success by encouraging students to utilize their available resources, and the outstanding contributions of the SU Libraries team are deservedly celebrated with the Princeton Review recognition,” said Ruelle.
Over the past 12 years at Elon, Ruelle has worked to integrate the library as a key component in the academic and overall fabric of the campus. This work was completed through improved communication to the campus community, including library liaisons, a “State of the Library” address and additional communication of the library perspective to university-wide policy and decision-making bodies.
Ruelle led the Elon community in creating a strategic plan and diversity statement for the Belk Library, working with colleagues to infuse anti-racism into library policies and practices, including hiring, retention and collections.
Prior to her time at Elon, Ruelle worked as the university librarian at Hollins University for 10 years. There, she led and oversaw all operations, services, resources and budgets of the Wyndham Robertson Library and Music Library. She designed and implemented programs to better support the university’s academic mission and fully integrate the library into the life of the campus community.
She began her professional career as an instruction and liaison librarian at the University of Virginia in the science and engineering libraries.
Ruelle earned her M.A. in library and information science from the University of Iowa. She also received a B.A. in English from the University of North Dakota and a master’s degree in women’s studies from Mankato State University.
Ruelle begins her tenure with SU on February 5.
Learn more about SU and opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours at www.salisbury.edu.
