The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has announced that Charles B. Lowry will retire from his position as Executive Director of the ARL at the end of December 2012. By announcing his retirement plans now, Lowry provides the ARL Board of Directors with time for a search and a seamless transition of leadership.
Lowry was appointed Executive Director in 2008 for a three-year term, which was extended for an additional two years at the request of the ARL Board. He has led ARL through significant expansion in membership and renewal of its strategic plan. During his tenure, ARL's capacities and offerings have been strengthened and expanded.
Lowry has focused his public efforts on key national and international issues through presentations and research, including analysis of research library budgets since 2008; ClimateQUAL measures of organisational health and diversity; and the major policy concerns of ARL.
Before coming to ARL, Lowry served as the Dean of Libraries at the University of Maryland College Park (1996-2008). He was appointed professor emeritus and retired from the University of Maryland in 2010. Prior to the University of Maryland, Lowry directed four other academic and research libraries: Carnegie Mellon University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of South Alabama, and Elon University.
The ARL Board of Directors is appointing a search committee that will conduct an open search for Lowry's successor. The Board plans to engage a search firm to assist in this process, with the goal of advertising the position in October 2011 and making an appointment no later than December 2012.
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