FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
Dr. Golian-Lui brings over 30 years of experience in academic libraries and an extensive publication record in library administration, management, and higher education. A double FAU alumna (Ed.S. in 1995 and Ed.D. in 1998), she worked at the university libraries from 1990 to 1997, first as a Serials Librarian, then as Serials Department Head and a Librarian Professor.
After leaving FAU, Dr.Golian-Lui worked at the academic libraries at the Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and most recently, served as Associate Dean at the Kennesaw State University.
The new dean’s vision for the FAU libraries includes meaningful expansion of user engagement services and experiences for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, researchers, post-docs, and the local community.
“I am overwhelmingly humbled, grateful, and excited to be given this opportunity to return to the FAU nest. FAU Libraries provided me with an excellent professional foundation that launched my academic librarianship career,” dean Golian-Lui said, adding that while working at FAU Libraries, she had the opportunity to learn how to manage and lead, multi-task and be professionally active in academic associations, publish, and conduct research.
Dr. Golian-Lui grew up in South Florida and considers this part of the state her home. “I feel as if my personal and professional life has come full circle. I am thrilled to have this chance to return to my roots and serve FAU and the Boca Raton Community,” she said.
The new dean said she believes it is crucial for any successful academic library to make people at the heart of it feel trusted, valued, and appreciated. “We may have different roles and responsibilities, but everyone has a vital part to play, and we are all equally important for the success of our organization,” she added.
Dr. Golian-Lui said she believes in the Rotary International motto of “service above self” and in treating people with courtesy, kindness, gratitude, and appreciation. “In the workplace, I believe in finding the positive in everything. Change is an opportunity to start something wonderful,” she said, adding that she is excited about the future changes at FAU and FAU libraries.
She added that although modern technology has changed how information and data are obtained and stored and how libraries provide services, the fundamental concepts of academic librarianship will always be the same.
“An exceptional academic library system is about creating inviting spaces, both physical and virtual, collecting desired resources, providing efficient access to the information, and nurturing and developing learning communities,” Dr. Golian-Lui emphasized.
FAU Libraries include the flagship S.E.Wimberly Library on the Boca Raton campus, with close to 4 million items in its collections. It is home to Rubin & Cindy Gruber Sandbox, one of the only artificial intelligence labs in American academic libraries; Jaffe Center for Books Arts, Recorded Sound Archives, and Marvin and Sybil Weiner Spirit of America Collection of manuscripts and pamphlets dating back to the 16th century.
FAU students on other campuses can take advantage of John D. Mac Arthur Library in Jupiter, HBOI Library at the Harbor Branch, the main branch of Broward County Library in Fort Lauderdale, or the Broward College – FAU Joint Use Facility in Davie.
Dean Golian-Lui will support the tradition of scholarly cooperation, expand the user engagement services, and emphasize the value of FAU libraries to student success and the university’s strategic goal to become a top-level research institution with the Carnegie R1 classification.
