Board of Trustees votes to approve title change for chief librarian to Dean
MILESTONE 58 — In the spring of 2022, the University of Notre Dame Board of Trustees voted to approve a title change for the Hesburgh Libraries’ chief librarian. The shift took effect on July 1, 2022, when the Edward H. Arnold University Librarian officially became the Edward H. Arnold Dean of Hesburgh Libraries and University of Notre Dame Press.
In December 2021, prior to the Board of Trustees vote, the Academic Council voted unanimously in favor of changing the University’s Academic Articles to allow for the title change.
The tremendous elevation further reflected the integral role the Hesburgh Libraries plays in advancing Notre Dame’s goal of becoming the leading global Catholic research university. This change also put the Hesburgh Libraries on par with peer libraries at many research universities across the country.
As a recognized peer of the College and School Deans, the Edward H. Arnold Dean became an essential part of early conversations and strategy sessions, putting the Hesburgh Libraries in the best position to help advance Notre Dame’s mission and vision. This remains especially important given the rapidly changing landscape for both research libraries and higher education.
K. Matthew Dames becomes first dean of the Hesburgh Libraries
On July 1, 2022, K. Matthew Dames, Ph.D., J.D., M.S., became the inaugural Edward H. Arnold Dean of Hesburgh Libraries and University of Notre Dame Press. Dames was appointed by University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., eleven months earlier, on August 1, 2021, and became the first African American to serve in the chief librarian role.
“Matthew is a proven leader among the nation’s academic research libraries with a track record of driving innovative processes, technologies, and settings that meet the current and emerging needs of students and faculty,” Father Jenkins said when the appointment was announced. “We welcome him to the Notre Dame community and look forward to the ways he will contribute to our distinctive mission and make the Hesburgh Libraries an even more valuable resource for the teaching, learning, research, and collaboration of our scholars.”
In anticipation of this change, Dames served as a member of the President's Leadership Council and the Deans’ Council since the beginning of his tenure.
About K. Matthew Dames
Dames, a nationally recognized scholar in copyright law and an experienced innovator in research libraries, leads nearly 150 library faculty and staff who advance teaching, learning, and research at Notre Dame. The library system features the flagship Hesburgh Library (which houses the Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship, the Medieval Institute Library, the University Archives, Rare Books and Special Collections, and the Visual Resources Center) and three branch libraries (Architecture Library, Business Library, and Music Library).
Established in 1949, the University of Notre Dame Press is the largest Catholic university press in the world. The press primarily publishes in areas that align with the academic strengths of the University, including religion, theology, history, philosophy, political science and theory, medieval studies, Irish studies, Latin American studies, and international relations.
Throughout his career, Dames has cultivated strong collaborations inside and outside of university environments, implementing innovative programs to enhance staff development and successfully securing resources to advance transformative library initiatives.
Dames serves on several Notre Dame committees, including the Academic Council, Generative AI Task Force, University Committee on Academic Technologies, University Committee on Libraries, University IT Stewardship Student and Academic Committee, Opportunities for Excellence Advisory Committee, Advisory Council Steering Committee, and Academic Review Committee, University of Miami.
From 2021 to 2022, Dr. Dames was the 61st president of the Association of Research Libraries. His full board term from 2019 to 2023 included three years as an association officer. During that time, he helped lead the organization through the COVID pandemic, its return to in-person events, and its executive director leadership succession. He also served on the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee for NorthEast Research Libraries (2018-2021).
Previously, Dames served as the university librarian for Boston University Libraries, where he was integral to BU’s strategic planning process, chairing a committee charged with developing the library system’s 2030 priorities. Before joining Boston University, Dames was an associate librarian for scholarly resources and services at Georgetown University. He also served as interim dean of libraries and university librarian for Syracuse University. Dames began his academic library career as founding director of Syracuse University’s Copyright and Information Policy Office, one of the nation’s first full-time university copyright offices.
Dames earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from City University of New York, a master’s degree in information studies, and a doctoral degree in information science and technology from Syracuse University. He earned his Juris Doctor from Northeastern University and is an attorney and member in good standing of the Bar of Maryland.
