Laura W. Gariepy becomes VCU Libraries’ Associate University Librarian for Research and Learning effective October 25, 2018.

As Associate University Librarian for Research and Learning, Gariepy will direct all aspects of learning, teaching and research outreach by VCU Libraries for the 28,000 VCU community members (including its undergraduate enrollment) primarily located on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Working with the Division’s five department heads, Gariepy will oversee and coordinate faculty and research support; undergraduate and graduate education; access to spaces, equipment, and expertise for media and makerspace technologies; circulation, information, and research assistance; special collections and archives; and the spaces of the nationally renowned James Branch Cabell Library. As a member of the VCU Libraries senior leadership team, she also will play a key role in overall leadership and management of VCU’s library system.

She brings an impressive educational background along with nearly 10 years of experience to her new role with the VCU Libraries. As Head, Teaching, Learning, and Information for the VCU Libraries since 2015, Gariepy has been responsible for the 24-hour information desk in Cabell Library, on-call librarian help, instruction for undergraduate information literacy education, liaison relationships with VCU’s University College, Honors College, and other units, and related duties. Leading a staff of 18 full-time employees, including six librarians and a number of hourly staff employees, her unit met successfully the immense growth both in demand and in scope of needs since the opening of the expanded Cabell Library in 2016. She held prior positions with the VCU Libraries as Head, Teaching & Learning, Assistant Head for Instruction, and Undergraduate Research Librarian since joining the VCU Libraries in 2009.

She complements her work in the VCU Libraries with an extensive record of publications, presentations and service, with special emphasis on service assessment and assessment methodologies. Gariepy holds the Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Appalachian State University, the Master of Science in Library Science from UNC-Chapel Hill, and has begun her dissertation leading to the Ph.D. in Education with a focus on Research and Evaluation from Virginia Commonwealth University.