UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Libraries has named John Meier as head of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for Engagement and Outreach, effective Sept. 1.
In his new position Meier will provide leadership for Libraries faculty and staff in the areas of agriculture, earth and mineral sciences, engineering, life sciences, and physical and mathematical sciences across four locations on the University Park campus. He will establish a cohesive strategy for partnering with academic schools, colleges, and institutes across the University, and nurture collaborations with all Penn State campus libraries, in addition to serving on the Dean’s Library Council.
“This important leadership position addresses the critical information needs of Penn State STEM disciplines and promotes partnership-driven support, as research and teaching practices continue to evolve to meet needs of society,” said Dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications Barbara Dewey.
Meier, who was recently promoted to the rank of Librarian, has been with Penn State Libraries since 2007, as a science librarian in the Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS) Library. He has served as Acting Head of both the PAMS and Engineering libraries on the University Park campus. As the University Libraries official representative to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Resource Center Program, Meier supported innovation and entrepreneurship across the University with outreach to multiple Penn State campuses. He chaired the Libraries Diversity Committee leading a comprehensive internal climate study and report and received the Penn State University Libraries award in 2016.
Meier was selected as an American Library Association Emerging Leader in 2011 and recently completed his term as Chair of the Science and Technology Section of the Association for College and Research Libraries (ACRL). Meier was part of the inaugural cohort of the Penn State Library Leaders Program and in 2013 selected for Leading Change Institute sponsored by the Council on Library and Information Resources. He is on the advisory board for the Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize administered by the Pennsylvania Center for the Book and a member of the jury for the SEE-IT (Stories Engagingly Explained - Illustratively Told) award as a STEM graphic novel expert.
Meier received undergraduate and master of science degrees in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. He holds a master of science degree in library and information science from the University of Pittsburgh. His research into engineering information sources and Google Scholar has garnered multiple awards over the past decade.
“I look forward to creating innovative library services and spaces for greater student engagement and knowledge creation,” Meier said. “We have highly talented librarians and staff working as experts across the University. We will increase our partnerships and collaborative programs to support an inclusive, multidisciplinary learning and research environment for the Penn State community.”