photo by Owen Egan and Joni Dufour
York University has named Joseph Hafner dean, York University Libraries, for a five-year term starting July 1, 2024.
Hafner comes to York University from McGill University Library, where he has served since 2007 as associate director and then associate dean, Collection Services. He joined McGill in 2004 and was awarded full librarian status in 2020. Prior to his tenure at McGill, Hafner began his career in public librarianship in Indiana.
At McGill, Hafner has been central to multiple transformational projects, including the construction of a new $33 million, offsite robotic storage facility, involving the absorption of 2.5 million books and journals. He brings to York extensive experience in budget management and process improvement, along with knowledge of frontline library services and current issues facing libraries, including open access and the use of artificial intelligence.
Active in the profession, Hafner is currently a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), where he is chair of the Linked Data Technical Review Group and a member of the Advisory Committee on Standards. Hafner was an Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Leadership Fellow in 2011–2012.
At York, Hafner will succeed Joy Kirchner, who led the libraries from 2015 to 2023. To complete research commitments, Hafner will take a leave of absence for the first six weeks of his term, during which time Andrea Kosavic will continue in the position of interim dean, a position she has held since July 2023.
For more details, see the York University announcement of Hafner’s appointment.
