Estlund named dean of Colorado State University Libraries

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Karen Estlund, Penn State University Libraries associate dean for technology and digital strategies, has been named dean of Colorado State University Libraries as of Dec. 1. Estlund will conclude her tenure at the Libraries on Nov. 15, after more than four years with Penn State.

“I want to thank Karen for her many contributions to the University Libraries and Penn State,” said Barbara I. Dewey, dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications. “Karen has, among other important achievements, facilitated new partnerships with the University Research Office and Institute of CyberScience, led the formation of the Research and Informatics Publishing Department in the Libraries, and championed the endorsement of an Open Access Policy by the University Faculty Senate. I look forward to working with her as a dean and colleague in the Association for Research Libraries.”

Since her arrival at Penn State in 2015, Estlund has provided leadership and advocacy for information technology, digital scholarship, cataloging and metadata services, and resource discovery. Her most recent collaborations with faculty across the University have been instrumental in bringing to fruition the newly opened Center for Immersive Experiences and the Center for Digital Black Studies, scheduled to launch in 2021, to expand the Libraries’ capacity to provide support for digital and public humanities projects.

A national search will begin for her successor.