Biography
EDUCATION:
Spring 1985 - 1987 Master of Library Science. Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York.
1979 - 1983 Bachelor of Science, Library Science. Lebanese University. Faculty of Information and Documentation, Beirut, Lebanon.
LANGUAGES: Fluent in English, French and Arabic.
JOB EXPERIENCE:
Oct. 2008 - Present: Lebanese American University, P.O.Box 13-5053, Chouran Beirut 1102 2801, Lebanon
Director, Riyad Nassar Library (Beirut campus)
Responsible for managing the operations of the Library with the aim of enhancing its role as a primary educational tool of the University.
Duties include: Provide visionary leadership for the Riyad Nassar Library; develop and implement an effective strategy for meeting the current and future information needs of the university community in support of the university’s mission; responsible for all aspects of administration of the library: budget development and fiscal management; strategic and facilities planning; application of emerging technologies; recruitment, appointment, supervision and evaluation of employees; quality and delivery of services; collection development and effective access to information resources; campus and institutional collaboration and outreach; participation in resource-sharing and consortia; grants and external funding; library advocacy; compliance with accrediting and regulatory requirements; represent the Library, or mandate its representation, at official meetings inside or outside of the University; play an active and leading role in professional or learned societies and conferences pertinent to librarianship and information science on national or international levels.
Oct. 1998 – Sept. 2008 Lebanese American University, P.O.Box 13-5053, Chouran Beirut 1102 2801, Lebanon
Systems Librarian:
Responsible for the implementation of the systems in LAU Libraries, i.e., Electronic Reserves (e-Res), Library Portal (ZPortal), Library Management System (OLIB), Print management system (PMP), etc.
Duties include: Plan, evaluate, implement, install and maintain the selected systems; direct and coordinate the automation activities of LAU Libraries; provide guidance and training to students, faculty and staff; manage and supervise related projects, i.e., retrospective conversion, barcoding, OCLC different services; implement new features into the OPAC; create a web service for patron self-authentication; prepare RFPs; study and analyze proposals received from the different vendors for proper selection; work side by side with the Information Technology Department to ensure and monitor appropriate implementation of all systems; lead a staff of 3 systems/hardware/network specialists to support the Libraries’ information technology directives; develop and document new processes and procedures; successfully manage the annual technology budget; work closely with the Publications Department to update and organize the information on the Library’s website.
As a member of the teaching community in the University, I teach the Learning Resources Techniques course.
Until December 31, 2005, my duties also comprised the total management of LAU’s electronic resources including studying the vendor’ license agreements, trials, billing and training.
Oct. 1993 – Sept. 1998American University of Beirut, P.O.Box 11-0236, Beirut - Lebanon
Automation Librarian:
Manager of the Automation Department of the University Libraries (Jafet Memorial Library, Engineering and Architecture Library and Science and Agriculture Library). Duties include: Replace the manual system by a fully integrated library automated system, barcoding and retrospective conversion.
Aug. 1987 - 1993 American Insurance Services Group, Inc., 85 John Street, New York, NY 10038
Information Specialist:
Manager of the Engineering and Safety Service Department Information Center.
Duties include: Develop an online database service (E&S Information Network) to be made available to subscriber companies; automate the library operations through implementation of an integrated library system (INMAGIC); provide specialized reference services in various disciplines to staff and 260 subscriber companies; perform online services using Dialog, Medlars, Nexis/Lexis, STN International, CD-ROM products, and other public domain online services; assist in the department's seminars and conferences; perform orientations and presentations on the Information industry, to staff and subscribers.
June 1986 - Nov. 86 First Boston Corporation, 49 E. 48th Street, New York, NY.
Assistant Librarian:
Catalog, order materials, and establish funds to employees through OCLC. Conduct reference services using the reference materials and online services.
Oct. 1985 - June 86 Brooklyn Public Library, Technical Services Department, Brooklyn,
NY.
Cataloger:
Catalog materials in English, Arabic and French using MARC records, plus original cataloging.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
COMMITTEES (LAU):
• Member of the IT Advisory Committee
• Secretary of the Standard 7 Accreditation Committee
• Member of the IT Strategic Planning Committee
• Member of the E-Resources Committee
CONSORTIA:
• Chairperson of the Coordinating Committee of AMICAL (American International Consortium of Academic Libraries)
ASSOCIATIONS:
1993 – Present Lebanese Library Association
2004 – 2006 Chairperson of the Lebanese OLIB Users Group
1995 – 1999 Member of the IFLA/FAIFE Committee
1987 – 1993 Special Library Association
