Director's Office - Libraries
Karen Adams
Director of Libraries
Karen Adams was appointed Director of Libraries of the University of Manitoba effective July 1, 2008. She grew up in Manitoba’s Interlake, and received her BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Manitoba in 1967, and M.L.S. from the University of Western Ontario in 1975.
During the period 1998-2008, she was the Director of Library Services and Information Resources for the University of Alberta Libraries, serving as chief operating officer of the library system. Prior to that, she served 7 years as Executive Director of the Ottawa-based Canadian Library Association, a national organization representing the interests of librarians and libraries of all types. Her research interest continues to be information policy, with particular emphasis on copyright, and she is co-editor with Dr. William Birdsall of Understanding Telecommunications and Public Guide: A Guide for Libraries (1998) and Access to Information in a Digital World(2004).
In a career that also includes teaching and consulting, Karen has been Saskatchewan Provincial Librarian (1984-1990) and Director of Public Library Services, Government of Manitoba (1980-1984).
Karen is currently on the advisory board of the Canadian Research Knowledge Network, AUCC’s advisory committee on copyright, and the American Library Association’s Presidential Task Force on Library Education. She was the Canadian representative on the ALA Committee on Accreditation from 2004 to 2008.
In her position at the University of Manitoba, she is responsible for a $24 million budget and 280 academic and support staff, located in 19 libraries on the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses, and in the City’s hospitals.
Karen_Adams@umanitoba.ca
Telephone: 204-474-8749
Fax: 204-474-7583