University of Wisconsin (UW)–Madison has appointed Erla P. Heyns university librarian and vice provost for University Libraries, effective January 1, 2024.
Heyns is currently associate professor and associate dean for learning at Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies, where she has worked since 2016. Previously, she was at Cornell University, serving as the director of the Flower/Sprecher Veterinary Library and the coordinator for the engineering, math, and physical sciences libraries. Before that, she was the head of Indiana University’s Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Library.
At Purdue, Heyns has led the teaching and learning work for Purdue Libraries, focusing on campus engagement, collaborating with associate deans and other leaders involved in student success. She has worked with librarians and staff to develop new ways to integrate the work of librarians with academic departments. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on mentoring at Purdue and mentoring workshops nationally.
Heyns received a doctoral and master’s degree from the School of Library and Information Science at Indiana University, a master’s degree in advanced clinical practice from Syracuse University, and a bachelor’s degree in history and Afrikaans/Dutch literature from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
At UW–Madison, Heyns will succeed Lisa Carter, who stepped down to become dean of libraries and university librarian at the University of Michigan. Lesley Moyo and Lee Konrad have served as joint interim vice provosts for UW–Madison Libraries since Carter’s departure.
For more information about Heyns and this appointment, see the UW–Madison news release, “New Vice Provost for UW–Madison Libraries Chosen.”
