Beth McNeil Assumes ACRL Presidency

July 28th, 2023

Beth McNeil, dean of Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies, has assumed the role of president of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL). ACRL, a division of the American Library Association, is committed to advancing learning, transforming scholarship, and creating diverse and inclusive communities—values Dean McNeil has also embodied at Purdue.

“It is my great honor and privilege to serve as the next president of ACRL. Throughout my career, ACRL has consistently provided me with professional growth opportunities and I have valued the chances to learn from ACRL programs and networking experiences that have led to invaluable mentoring relationships and life-long friends. Having served on several committees and the Board, ACRL has long been my professional home. I look forward to this new opportunity to give back to an organization that has given me so much, while listening and ensuring that all members find their own sense of belonging, community, professional growth, and success through their involvement with ACRL.”

Since becoming a member of ACRL in 1989, McNeil has held a variety of roles within the organization, most recently she served as vice-president. Building on her predecessors’ achievements, McNeil aims to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in the association and its member libraries as well as recognize and promote sustainable and open scholarship during her one-year tenure. “The move to open science/open scholarship will lead to fundamental changes for higher education and our libraries, and I believe that college and university librarians have a role and a responsibility in changing the model. I trust ACRL can continue to build its support and advocacy in this area, and I look forward to the challenge of helping to shift academic culture towards a more equitable, open future.” 

“I am pleased to welcome Beth McNeil to the ACRL Board of Directors,” ACRL interim executive director Allison Payne said. “ACRL is grateful for her many years of service and her valuable contributions to the association, including her service as a past Board member. ACRL members and the profession will benefit from her deep knowledge of our institution, academic librarianship and higher education. I look forward to working with McNeil in the coming years.”

About the Association of College & Research Libraries: The Association of College & Research Libraries is the higher education association for academic libraries and library workers. Founded in 1940 and representing more than 8,500 individuals and libraries, ACRL develops programs, products, and services to help those working in academic and research libraries learn, innovate, and lead within the academic community.