09/02/2025
By Julie Nash

It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Galadriel Chilton as dean of the University Library at UMass Lowell.

Galadriel comes to UMass Lowell from the Ivy Plus Libraries Confederation, where she served as director of collections initiatives. In that role she led collaborative strategy across thirteen premier research institutions - including Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale and Columbia - shaping shared print and digital collections, advancing open access, and building infrastructure for ethical licensing and collaborative governance.

She previously served as director of collection development at the University of Connecticut, and held positions at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and Viterbo University, and the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Chicago Kent College of Law Library. Her career reflects a deep commitment to both advancing scholarship and ensuring equitable access to information and resources for all students and faculty.

As a first-generation college graduate, Galadriel understands the difference access to education and resources can make in a student’s life and the critical role libraries play in opening doors. She brings to UML a staff-centered leadership style and a passion for building inclusive environments where people can thrive.

Her selection comes at a pivotal moment for the University Library, as we continue to build staff capacity, deepen our student-focused services, and expand our contributions to UML’s growing research profile as a newly-designated R1 institution.

I want to thank Jenifer Whitten-Woodring, Sue Kim and Sukesh Aghara who lead the search at different points, and committee members Ellen Keane, Richard Yeager, Patrick Connell, Angelica Duran-Martinez, Nicole Champagne, Carolyn Brooks, Mike Millner, Tony Sampas and Amanda Rust for their thoughtful, dedicated efforts in bringing forward such a strong candidate
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Please join me in welcoming Galadriel to UMass Lowell.