Library News for the Faculty

New Associate University Librarian and Director of Undergraduate Initiatives Named

The UCLA Library has appointed Sharon E. Farb as associate university librarian for collection development and scholarly communication and Alison Armstrong as director of undergraduate initiatives.

Associate University Librarian

Farb has been at the UCLA Library since 1989, most recently as head of digital collection services. Her responsibilities in that position included advising, developing, and encouraging new forms of scholarly communication and new models of sustainable publishing; expanding collections of high-use, high-impact licensed resources; designing and implementing systems, tools, and metadata to manage collections and enhance services; leading UCLA Library and UC negotiations and licensing of digital resources and collections; and advising on copyright and intellectual property issues.

Farb has represented the library in campuswide, systemwide, national, and international planning, policy, and consortial activities. She has served on numerous councils and committees, including as a founding member of the Digital Library Federation's electronic resources management steering committee and on the National Institute of Standards Organization/Digital Library Federation's license expression working group and the California Digital Library's rights management group. She has also published in the areas of licensing, electronic resources, and copyright and intellectual property.

Farb completed her doctorate in information studies at UCLA in 2006. She earned a master's degree in library science with a specialization in information policy from UCLA in 1991, a JD from Golden Gate Law School in 1984, and a bachelor's degree in criminology from UC Berkeley in 1980.

Farb takes over the position from Cindy Shelton, who announced her retirement in June 2006.

Director of Undergraduate Initiatives

The newly created position of director of undergraduate initiatives focuses on advancing the quality and character of information and instructional services for undergraduates, closely integrating the Library's service role with the university's educational mission, and implementing new programs and services that anticipate and respond to changes in higher education and information technology.

Armstrong comes to UCLA from American University in Cairo, where she had been a senior librarian since 2004; her prior positions include associate senior librarian at the University of Cincinnati and associate librarian at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Armstrong expanded the information literacy program at American University, where it is incorporated into the core curriculum through a required freshman course and further integrated into required subject classes. She has extensive experience in course development and program assessment and has provided leadership, guidance, and support for staff conducting library instruction, outreach, and technology training.

Armstrong has spoken and published extensively on topics related to information literacy and student learning, including critical thinking, research skills, and the role of technology. She earned both an MLS and a BA in English from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.