New Libraries Dean Brings Focus on Service
Winter 2012 · Comment ·
Rebecca Bichel probably won’t hunt you down if your books are overdue, but the new dean of the UT Arlington Libraries does plan to have a big impact at the University.
Formerly a Florida State University senior library administrator, Bichel brings an extensive record of library experience and leadership. She joined the University to capitalize on the opportunities that academic libraries like UT Arlington’s provide for scholarly and community engagement.
“I am delighted to join the University,” she says. “I am so impressed with UT Arlington’s ambitious climb to Tier One status, and I look forward to supporting that goal by working with colleagues to shape a world-class library system serving students, faculty, and the North Texas community.”
At Florida State, Bichel oversaw the development of a Learning Commons and Scholars Commons, with specific facilities and staffing to support undergraduate and graduate students and faculty scholarship. She is credited with updating services, improving customer service, and developing services for patrons with disabilities.
As dean, Bichel leads a staff of about 115 employees and manages a collection of more than 1.2 million print volumes, 275,000 electronic volumes, and 72,000 serial titles. She also directs UT Arlington’s Special Collections, including its renowned cartography holdings and extensive archive of historic photos, manuscripts, and other materials.
