Provost names Bohyun Kim dean of University Libraries
Provost Ann Stevenstoday announced the appointment of Bohyun Kim (pronounced "bo-hyun"—with "yun" sounding like "yearn" without the R) as dean of University Libraries, following a national search. Kim will begin her appointment on Aug. 24.
Bohyun Kim
“Bohyun is a strategic and collaborative leader with deep expertise in guiding large research libraries through periods of technological and organizational change,” Stevens said. “Her record of inclusive leadership, financial stewardship and ongoing innovation in digital scholarship, research infrastructure and collections positions her well to lead ñ’s University Libraries.”
Kim currently serves as associate university librarian for library information technology and interim associate university librarian for collections at the University of Michigan Library. She oversees two divisions—Library Information Technology and Collections—covering more than 100 faculty and staff and an annual budget of over $44 million. Previously, she has held leadership positions at the University of Rhode Island and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Throughout her career, Kim has led major initiatives to advance open access, robust and sustainable digital infrastructure and preservation, more effective campuswide stewardship of research data, a user-centered approach to library search and discovery, and inclusive and interdisciplinary education and scholarship practices through technology-enhanced learning spaces such as an AI lab and makerspaces.
She has guided many campuswide, consortial and other external partnerships with organizations such as the Big Ten Academic Alliance, HathiTrust, Google Books and Academic Preservation Trust, and has worked closely with university research, information technology and legal partners to strengthen library services at scale to better support students, faculty and staff.
“I am honored to join the ñ as dean of University Libraries,” Kim said. “Research libraries play an indispensable role in advancing teaching, learning and discovery and are vibrant centers of constantly renewed scholarly practices and research activities. I look forward to working with ñ’s faculty, staff and students to strengthen library services, infrastructure and partnerships in support of the university’s mission.”
Kim holds three graduate degrees: a Master of Science in library and information science from Simmons College, a Master of Arts in classical philosophy from Harvard University, and a Master of Arts in Western philosophy, as well as a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Seoul National University.
Stevens thanked Sarah Jackson, chair of the search advisory committee, and the committee’s members for their thoughtful engagement and commitment throughout the search. She also expressed appreciation to Tamara Sumner for her exceptional leadership as interim dean, as well as her guidance and dedication in supporting University Libraries and advancing key priorities during this transition.