The Fresno State Library announced the appointment of Janet Crum as its new dean of Library Services, effective Aug. 1.

Crum joins Fresno State from the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she served as director of the Health Sciences Library. Her extensive experience includes leadership roles at Northern Arizona University, City of Hope National Medical Center, and Oregon Health & Science University.

Crum holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of the Pacific and a master’s in library science from the University of Washington.

A prolific scholar, Crum has authored numerous journal articles and conference presentations. She recently co-edited “Essential Leadership Skills for Health Sciences Information Professionals” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023). Her professional interests span leading remote and hybrid work teams, employee engagement, library leadership, emerging roles for academic librarians, project management, library technology and the impact of academic libraries on institutional outcomes.

John Muir Handwriting Expert

With deep roots in the San Joaquin Valley, Crum discovered her passion for library science as a student assistant in Special Collections at Pacific. There, she developed a unique skill: the ability to decipher John Muir’s handwriting. Outside of work, Crum enjoys writing fiction, gardening, hiking and traveling.

“I’m excited to join Fresno State and to work with the outstanding staff of the Fresno State Library! I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley (in Tracy) and have always considered it to be my home. I’m grateful for the opportunity to return and to contribute to Fresno State’s mission of service to the diverse students and communities that call this region home,” said Crum of joining the Fresno State ranks.

Crum’s appointment concludes a 17-month search, during which Dr. Bernadette T. Muscat, dean of Undergraduate Studies at Fresno State, served as interim dean. The Fresno State Library, serving as the intellectual hub for the university’s diverse community of 23,000 students, fosters collaboration, inquiry and learning.

“Janet Crum brings with her a wealth of experience and leadership skills. Our library will flourish under her direction, as will research, teaching and learning all across Fresno State,” said Fresno State Provost Xuanning Fu.

(Fresno State has had an interim dean of library services since the departure of librarian Del Hornbuckle in early 2023 to become executive director of University Libraries at Howard University in Washington, D.C.)