Former provost Frank Turner named university librarian at Yale
Yale Daily News
September 8, 2010
Following the departure of former University Librarian Alice Prochaska last semester, the University has appointed her replacement for the next five years: Frank Turner GRD ’71, who has served as acting University Librarian since January.
The search committee to find Prochaska’s replacement considered more than 20 candidates and six finalists, all of who — except Turner — were from outside the University, said Pericles Lewis, professor of English and comparative literature and chair of the search committee. Lewis said the committee considered a number of criteria when choosing candidates, including the ability to work well with budgets, an understanding of new technologies such as digitization and an awareness of the importance of the Library’s special and international collections.
In the end, however, Turner’s “great energy, insight and managerial skill” were key in his selection, Lewis said in an e-mail. “He brings to the library an intimate acquaintance with Yale and a deep understanding of the value of our library’s resources to Yale’s faculty and students,” University President Richard Levin said. “While not himself a person of the digital generation, I think he’s someone who understands its importance, and will enhance the library’s operations in that area.”