Alliance News and Updates
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Caroline Hanna
413.542.8417 (o)
413.658.4123 (c)
channa@amherst.edu
MARTIN GARNAR IS NAMED DIRECTOR OF THE LIBRARY AT AMHERST COLLEGE
(AMHERST, Mass., April 27, 2020) — Martin Garnar has been named director of the library at Amherst College, it was announced by Catherine Epstein, Provost and Dean of the Faculty. He joins the College from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, where he was dean of the Kraemer Family Library and a faculty member. Garner will assume the position on August 1, 2020.
“Martin was the unanimous and enthusiastic choice of the search committee, which was impressed with his wide range of experience, leadership style, and enthusiasm and support for the liberal arts mission,” said Epstein. “When he visited campus in February, those who met with him were struck by his knowledge, vision, collegiality, and ability to connect with members of the community.”
Prior to his position at Colorado, Garner served as the reference services librarian and as a professor of library science at Regis University’s Dayton Memorial Library, following 10 years as a reference librarian there. He has published widely on the topics of ethics, privacy, and intellectual freedom. Most recently, Garner edited the American Library Association (ALA)’s soon-to-be-published Intellectual Freedom Manual (10th edition) and is a frequent invited speaker and panelist at regional and national conferences. He has a long history of serving in leadership roles at the ALA: he has chaired the organization’s Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services Advisory Committee since 2018 and has served as chair of its Intellectual Freedom Committee and Committee on Professional Ethics, among many positions.
Garner earned a bachelor of arts degree in history and geography from the State University of New York at Binghamton, where he was an Empire State Scholar and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa; a master of arts degree in modern European history from that institution; and a master of library and information services degree from the University of Denver with a concentration in library and information resources and technologies. He is currently enrolled in the doctoral program in educational leadership, research, and policy at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and expects to complete his degree next year.
Susan Kimball, head of access services for Amherst’s Frost library, filled the role during the search process.
# # #