Hostetler promoted to Dean of David L. Rice Library

Marna Hostetler has been promoted to Dean of the David L. Rice Library at the University of Southern Indiana, effective immediately. She reports to Dr. Shelly Blunt, USI Provost. This promotion reflects the University’s 2019 decision to grant librarians full faculty status, including faculty rank, eligibility for promotion and tenure and participation in faculty governance. Elevating the Library’s chief administrator to the title of Dean aligns with these faculty designations and affirms the essential academic role of the David L. Rice Library within the University.

As Dean, Hostetler provides oversight for all library operations, including the Library building and budget. She coordinates strategic planning and communication for the Library and manages its resources to meet evolving user needs. Hostetler partners with students, faculty, staff, campus units and community organizations to advance the strategic goals of both the Library and the University.

"Marna brings exceptional leadership, vision and dedication to her new role as Dean of the David L. Rice Library,” says Dr. Shelly Blunt, USI Provost. “I am confident she will continue to advance the Library’s mission while fostering innovation, collaboration and excellence across campus and beyond."

Hostetler also recruits, retains and develops Library personnel and supports and mentors tenure-track librarians. She oversees a campus-wide testing center and manages complex human resources and emergency response issues. Hostetler coordinates training for librarians, staff members and student employees. As a member of the Provost’s Council, she advises the Provost on planning matters, represents the Library on campus-wide councils and at local, state and national meetings and serves on University, state and national committees.

Hostetler has been at USI since 2012, most recently as Director of Library Services at Rice Library. In that role, she provided strategic direction for library services, enhanced academic support for students and faculty and advanced the Library’s mission to support USI’s teaching, learning and research goals.

Prior to joining USI, Hostetler spent 13 years at the University of South Carolina, where she served as Head of Interlibrary Loan, Head of Access Services and Associate Dean of Libraries. She also previously served as a Public Services Librarian at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia.

On campus, Hostetler serves on the Provost’s Council, Academic Planning Council and the Center for Communal Studies Board. She is an ex officio member of the Council of Graduate Program Directors and Chairs and Faculty Senate standing committees. She is also a reviewer for Library Leadership & Management and Crossroads: The Journal of Indiana Libraries and has been published on leadership, communication and organizational design in academic libraries.

Hostetler earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology and a master’s degree in library science from Indiana University, and a master’s degree in business administration from USI.