UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Leo S. Lo, associate university librarian for Research and Learning at Old Dominion University, has been named Penn State University Libraries associate dean for Learning, Undergraduate Services and Commonwealth Campus Libraries.
“Leo’s academic and research experience is uniquely suited to support and extend the University Libraries’ innovative projects and strategic initiatives, as well as our organizational values, particularly regarding diversity and inclusion,” said Barbara I. Dewey, dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications. “His previous experience — especially as a multicultural studies librarian, diversity point person, and research and development librarian, and as a leader of a university library’s strategic planning team, library student advisory council, and library assessment task force and plan — matches our topmost priorities for this academic leadership position. We look forward to welcoming Leo and his contributions to support Penn State students’ academic success and the Libraries’ continuous improvement.”
At Old Dominion, Lo shared leadership and oversight of all aspects of its University Libraries, where he led the transition of reference librarians to the Liaison Librarian model and oversees its continuous improvement. He also established a Libraries Student Advisory Council and a partnership with academic advising professionals, and led a task force to initiate predictive analytics prototype projects to assess the impact of library services on student success. Similarly, as head of the McLure Education Library and associate professor at the University of Alabama, he re-imagined the library and developed it into a valuable strategic partner of the College of Education. He also served as multicultural studies librarian, research and development librarian, and assistant professor at Kansas State University Libraries.
Lo holds three master’s degrees: in survey research from the University of Connecticut, in screenwriting from Hollins University, and in library and information studies from Florida State University; and an undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. In August 2018 he began an executive doctor of education degree in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.
He was selected as an American Library Association Emerging Leader in 2009 and is serving a second term as councilor at large on the ALA Council. He also has four years of service on ALA’s Leadership & Management Association (LLAMA) board of directors, where he initiated a new joint partnership with ALA’s New Members Round Table (NMRT), founded the new LLAMA/NMRT New Leaders Discussion Group, and fostered relationships between the past, present and future leaders of the two organizations. He previously served on the Chinese American Librarian Association’s Best Book and Publications committees.
“I have long admired Penn State University Libraries’ reputation, and I am honored and delighted by this appointment,” Lo said. “I am passionate about the future of librarianship and excited to contribute my curiosity, diverse experience, and belief in lifelong learning to the success of Penn State’s students, faculty, staff and communities who benefit from the University Libraries.”
Lo will join the University Libraries as a member of its faculty leadership team on May 1.