photo by: Contributed

Kevin Smith

The University of Kansas’ dean of libraries is taking a job on the East Coast, leaving KU looking for a new leader as talk intensifies on a proposed major renovation of Watson Library.

Kevin Smith has been named the next director of libraries at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He is scheduled to begin his new job Aug. 1 and is expected to end his tenure at KU on July 15.

Smith, who has served as KU’s dean of libraries since 2016, said via a news release that he was leaving KU for the smaller college to be closer to family in the Northeast.

KU expects to make an announcement about an interim leader for libraries in the weeks ahead, according to a news release. The departure comes at a time when KU has begun to publicly discuss a possible $40 million renovation of Watson Library, KU’s largest and oldest library.

In April, Smith told the Journal-World the architectural vision for a revamped Watson Library included a complete updating of the interior, plus improvements in accessibility, general building flow and changes that will allow more natural light into the building.

Smith said no timeline for the project had been set, but he said the university and KU Endowment were in the early stages of creating a capital campaign for the project.

Smith came to KU after serving 10 years with Duke University Libraries. Smith is regarded as a national expert in the field of copyright law, especially as it relates to scholarly publishing.

KU Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer said Smith also had helped KU make great advancements in the use of open source educational materials, and also was a leader in promoting diversity and inclusion on campus.

In addition to serving as dean of libraries, Smith holds the title of director of the University Press of Kansas, which is based at KU but provides publishing services to all of the state’s Regents universities. Details on how that position will be filled weren’t included in the KU release.