Extension of Larry Alford as Chief Librarian, University of Toronto Libraries (PDAD&C #17)

From: Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President & Provost
Date: December 14, 2022
Re: Extension of Larry Alford as Chief Librarian, University of Toronto Libraries (PDAD&C #17)

I am pleased to announce that the Agenda Committee of the Academic Board has approved a two-year extension of Larry Alford’s appointment as Chief Librarian from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025.  

As University Chief Librarian, Larry Alford has demonstrated exceptional leadership, insight, and administration at the University of Toronto Libraries. He demonstrates a keen awareness of the changing nature of libraries, and has championed the growth of new services for students, communications, and collaboration across the three campuses. Under Alford’s leadership, the UTL has been transformed into a globally recognized leader for research, education, and student services, and provided excellent services to staff, students, faculty and other researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.  He oversaw the construction of Robarts Common, a 1,200-seat expansion of the John P. Robarts Library, which plays a key role in accommodating the ever-growing need for library resources and quality learning spaces on the St. George campus.  

Larry Alford is a member of the American Library Association (ALA) and has served as chair of the ALA Directors of Large Research Libraries Discussion Group.  Prior to his appointment as Chief Librarian, Larry Alford was the Dean of University Libraries at Temple University. He holds a B.A. and M.L.S. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of North Carolina School of Information and Library Science in May 2005.  Larry Alford has also received the Hugh C. Atkinson Memorial Award (2018), the CARL Award for Distinguished Service to Research Librarianship (2021) and the Ron MacDonald Distinguished Service Award (2022). 

Please join me in thanking Larry for continuing his exceptional service as University Chief Librarian.