Oakland University Appoints a New Dean

Boruff-Jones Appointed Dean of University Libraries

Polly D. Boruff-Jones has been appointed to serve as Dean of University Libraries by Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost James P. Lentini. Her position with Oakland University (OU) becomes effective on July 1, 2020.

“Polly’s commitment to collaborative leadership and respectful interaction was evident in her visit to campus, and her success in strategic planning and all aspects of overseeing a university library make her an ideal choice for Oakland University,” said Provost Lentini.Boruff-Jones brings broad experience in library administration and library science, with a proven background at the dean level, to Oakland.

In her most recent position as dean of the Indiana University Kokomo Library, Boruff-Jones has been responsible for all aspects of library administration, operations and finance. In that role, she has worked collaboratively with the university’s chief diversity officer and faculty diversity liaison to pursue institutional diversity goals, overseen library strategic planning, lead archive digitization planning, addressed library technology needs and helped facilitate many additional library service initiatives. Boruff-Jones has also served as director of library and information services for the F.W. Olin Library at Drury University and had other prior professional experience through several roles of increasing responsibility at the University Library for Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI).

In addition to her exemplary administrative leadership, Boruff-Jones has actively engaged in scholarship, publishing articles and resource reviews, and has given presentations at national, state and local conferences. She has also received seven academic awards and grants totaling more than $80,000.

Boruff-Jones has completed numerous professional development programs and maintains several professional organization memberships, including a strong commitment to the American Library Association. She has also accepted scores of professional service commitments at the international, national, regional, state and university levels.

With master’s degrees in non-profit management and library science, as well as a bachelor’s degree with a double major in political science and environmental studies, Boruff-Jones has also held numerous teaching assignments, including adjunct appointments at Indiana University Kokomo, Drury University, Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI), and Indiana University.