Catherine Quinlan has been appointed dean of the USC Libraries, effective Aug. 1.

Quinlan comes to USC after more than a decade at the University of British Columbia, where she served concurrently as university librarian and managing director of the university’s Irving K. Barber Learning Centre.

Her appointment follows an international search that drew approximately 55 top-tier candidates.

“Catherine Quinlan has established a track record as one of the world’s top leaders in the development and evolution of university libraries,” said Provost C. L. Max Nikias, who announced the appointment on behalf of USC President Steven B. Sample. “We are delighted that Ms. Quinlan has accepted the challenge of working with us to further USC’s leadership role in a crucial scholarly arena.”

As dean, Quinlan will lead USC Libraries’ faculty and staff in the university’s quest to create the model for the 21st-century research library. She will work closely with other USC deans and faculty members to optimize and develop the resources needed for the university’s scholars, and she will continue to forge partnerships with museums, libraries and other cultural institutions throughout Southern California.

“I’m tremendously excited about joining an institution of USC’s caliber,” Quinlan said. “It’s a particular honor to come to the USC Libraries, an organization already established as an innovator among academic research libraries, especially in the realm of digitizing primary research materials.

“I’m also enthusiastic about working with students, faculty and staff to make the USC Libraries a vibrant partner in the university’s mission to achieve ever-greater academic excellence,” she added.

In his announcement, Nikias thanked interim dean Marje Schuetze-Coburn for her “invaluable role in preparing USC’s libraries and library staff for a new and expanded role in the life of our university.” Under her leadership, the libraries have enhanced key areas, such as access to electronic resources, the digital archive and customer satisfaction programs.

Nikias also thanked Executive Vice Provost Barry Glassner for his work with Schuetze-Coburn during this transition year and for overseeing the successful search for a new dean.

In addition to serving as UBC’s university librarian from 1997-2007, Quinlan has directed the university’s $74-million prototype for academic information management, the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, since 2004. There, she raised much of the funding for the facility, including securing a $30-million gift – the largest capital gift ever to UBC – from lumber baron and philanthropist I.K. Barber.

Prior to her arrival at UBC, she served for seven years as director of libraries and chief librarian at the University of Western Ontario.

Quinlan earned an MBA from Memorial University of Newfoundland, a Master of Library Studies degree from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Music from Queen’s University.

The search committee was co-chaired by USC University Professor and California State Librarian Emeritus Kevin Starr and by USC Annenberg School for Communication Dean Geoff Cowan.