By Vic Cox

A leading librarian at the University of Michigan with a penchant for distance running has been selected to guide the UCSB libraries through what promises to be a challenging period of expansion. Brenda L. Johnson, currently UM associate university librarian, has accepted the appointment as UCSB’s university librarian, as of Jan. 1, 2008.

The New York state native—she was born in Jamestown—has invested the past three decades in library work. After securing her master’s in library and information science at Rutger’s, Johnson was hired as a reference librarian by the New Jersey university. Administrative positions followed.

She was there around five years before being hired by Michigan, “and the rest is history,” she said. During her 22 years in Ann Arbor she rose through the ranks to associate university librarian with responsibilities for 19 libraries with more than 200 full-time staff. Most recently, she served as interim co-university librarian.

“Brenda is an excellent fit for UCSB libraries and the campus,” Chancellor Henry Yang told the campus in a recent memo announcing her appointment. “She brings a strong commitment to advancing scholarship, as demonstrated by the broad array of services, collections, and outreach initiatives that have been developed and deployed under her leadership at Michigan.”

Some of the initiatives cited by the chancellor include a “Field Librarian Program” that placed librarians directly into the “instruction and research environment with faculty and students;” an award-winning Instructor College to enhance librarians’ instructional skills; and a comprehensive integration of library resources into the campus’s course management system.

Johnson also took the lead in the creation of a master plan for library facilities that launched renovations in how use of building space could support what she calls “a dynamic, learning-focused culture in a technology-rich, flexible environment.” It is an experience that should come in handy as UCSB’s Davidson Library prepares plans for an addition to its main building.

“Brenda not only brings a wealth of experience in a top research library, but she has a vision for our library that will help us move to the library of the future,” said Executive Vice Chancellor Gene Lucas, who has served as interim librarian this past year.

Distance running has been a way of shedding stress for Johnson. “I do lots of local races and ran the Chicago marathon about 10 years ago,” she said. “I can, with pride, say I finished a marathon, albeit slowly.”

Her only child, a son, has acquired Johnson’s passion for distance running. “Unlike his mother,” she said, “he is actually good at it.” The teen-ager is looking at UCLA or the University of Southern California film schools for college.