University of Michigan associate librarian John Wilkin has been appointed University librarian and dean of libraries. Wilkin’s appointment will become effective on August 16, pending approval from the Board of Trustees at its July 24 meeting.

Provost Ilesanmi Adesida said Wilkin was chosen for the position by the search committee because his strong background will help bring the University’s libraries into the information age.

“Illinois is a leader in the library world, and that’s what we want to be,” Adesida said. “That’s why we’re bringing in John Wilkin. We believe Illinois should be leading, not only among academics but for the public in general.”

Adesida said that among the goals for the University’s libraries are making information more widely available and ensuring that information is “protected, disseminated and curated.” Wilkin’s work with the digitization of information and library resources made him highly qualified for the position, Adesida said.

In addition to his work as an associate librarian, Wilkin leads Michigan’s library information technology and publishing departments and is executive director of the HathiTrust Digital Library, an online library containing digitized library collections from major research institutions, including the University.

If his appointment is approved, Wilkin will replace Paula Kaufman, who has served as university librarian since 1999 and became dean of libraries in 2009.

Lauren can be reached at [email protected].