91B0FBB4-04A9-D5D7-16F0F3976AA697ED
C9A22247-E776-B892-2D807E7555171534
Hamilton College has concluded a national search for a new college librarian with the appointment of a former colleague.

Randall Ericson, associate university librarian for technical and automated services at Syracuse University, served as director of technical services at Hamilton from 1982-1988. He will become the inaugural Patricia Pogue and Richard Watrous Couper Librarian at Hamilton on August 1. Ericson replaces Ralph Stenstrom, who retired as librarian earlier this year.

"Randy Ericson's familiarity with our campus, leadership roles in library automation and management, and experience in developing digital resources make him uniquely well-qualified to lead Hamilton's talented staff of librarians, information resource professionals and other dedicated staff members," said Dean of the Faculty Bobby Fong. "He is an excellent choice to become the College's first Couper Librarian.

Ericson will oversee Hamilton's Burke Library, which contains more than a half million volumes, and receives approximately 1,800 periodicals a year. It has study space for 1,000 students and more than 700 undergraduates take advantage of library facilities on a daily basis. Hamilton also has a separate science library, a media library, and a music library, all of which are administered by the college librarian.

Ericson earned a master's degree in library science from UCLA in 1979, a master's degree in philosophy from Northwestern University, and a bachelor's degree from Westmont College.

Before joining the Syracuse University library in 1988, he worked at Hamilton College for six years as director of technical services, and as acting director of audio visual services. Prior to that, Ericson worked at the Library of Congress as a cataloger, library intern and reference librarian. He was an instructor of philosophy at Berea College.

Ericson, who resides in Syracuse, is secretary and a member of Voyagers Users' Group Board, a library automation software users group. He has served as Syracuse University representative to the Northeast Research Libraries Consortium; was a member of New York State Electronic Doorway Library Action Committee; and the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES Library System Council.

Ericson also has been active in the American Library Association, having served as a member of the Resources and Technical Services Division (RTSD) Task Force on On-line Catalog Displays; the RTSD Catalog Form and Function Committee, which he chaired; and as a member of the RTSD Education Committee. He is also active in the Central New York Library Resources Council, having been a member of the Automation Committee, vice president and a member of the board of trustees, and a member of the Executive Committe.

Ericson also has served as a consultant to the Onondaga County Public Library in Syracuse and has published and presented numerous papers and articles on electronic media.

The newly endowed librarian position is named in honor of Patsy and Dick Couper, staunch supporters of Hamilton, the Hamilton Library and libraries elsewhere. Mr. Couper, a 1944 Hamilton graduate, currently serves Hamilton as a life trustee. He served as the New York Public Library's first-full-time president and chief executive officer from 1971-81.

Help us provide an accessible education, offer innovative resources and programs, and foster intellectual exploration.

Site Search