Creighton names new University librarian
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Michael Paulus Jr., DMin, MLIS, has been named the University librarian at Creighton University, effective July 1. He currently leads the Seattle Pacific University Library, which includes managing educational technology and directing a minor in information studies.
Paulus brings 20 years of library services experience to the position, including his most recent role leading and managing all aspects of the University Library at Seattle Pacific.
“I am excited to welcome Dr. Paulus to Creighton,” said Mardell Wilson, EdD, RDN, University provost. “His work with new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and focus on how libraries can transform education and scholarship will continue to help advance our libraries at Creighton for the benefit of all students, faculty and staff.”
Paulus holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, a Master of Library and Information Science from Rutgers University, and a Doctor of Ministry (science and technology emphasis) from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
His work with new technologies and focus on how libraries can transform education and scholarship will continue to help advance our libraries.
— Mardell Wilson, EdD, RDN
He began his professional library career in 2004 as the technical services librarian for special collections at Princeton Theological Seminary. He then served as head of archives and special collections at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, from 2006-2011, before joining Seattle Pacific as dean of the University Library and associate professor of information studies in 2011. He took on the additional role of assistant provost for educational technology at Seattle Pacific in 2016.
“Creighton’s reputation for providing excellent academic programs that emphasize reflective education for a better world is impressive,” Paulus said. “I am excited to join the Creighton community to help its libraries and library staff further advance the University’s mission and plans for the future.”
Paulus regularly presents and publishes on topics related to libraries and new and emerging technologies. He is the author of Artificial Intelligence and the Apocalyptic Imagination: Artificial Agency and Human Hope (Cascade, 2023) and the co-editor of AI, Faith, and the Future: An Interdisciplinary Approach (Pickwick, 2022). He serves on the board of the Orbis Cascade Alliance library consortium and is a member of the American Library Association and the Association of College and Research Libraries.
He joins Creighton following the completion of several renovation projects at the Reinert-Alumni Memorial Library, including the merger of the Health Sciences Library. In addition to physical improvements, Creighton also recently introduced a new JaySearch web interface and extended the “Chat with a Librarian” service to 24/7 availability.
