The University of Notre Dame has appointed K. Matthew Dames as the Edward H. Arnold University Librarian, effective August 1, 2021.
Dames has served as university librarian at Boston University since 2018. Prior to joining Boston University, he was associate university librarian for scholarly resources & services at Georgetown University and interim dean of libraries and university librarian for Syracuse University. Dames is a nationally recognized expert in copyright law, holding a faculty appointment in Boston University’s School of Law and founding Syracuse University’s Copyright and Information Policy Office, one of the nation’s first full-time university copyright offices.
In the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), Dames is currently ARL vice president/president-elect. He also chairs the ARL Task Force on Structural Equity & Inclusion, chairs the Fall Forum Planning Group, and serves on the Governance Committee. He serves as a career coach for the ARL Leadership and Career Development Program (LCDP) and was an ARL Leadership Fellow in 2018.
Dames earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from City University of New York and a master’s degree in information studies and a doctoral degree in information science and technology from Syracuse University. He earned his juris doctorate from Northeastern University.
At Notre Dame, Dames succeeds Diane Parr Walker, who is retiring in July 2021 after serving 10 years as university librarian.
For more information about Dames and his appointment, see the Notre Dame news release, “K. Matthew Dames Appointed Chief Librarian of Notre Dame’s Hesburgh Libraries.”
