Holly Mercer became dean of libraries at the University of Maryland in July 2025. In this role, she provides leadership and vision for the University Libraries, including oversight and guidance in all aspects of the Libraries’ activities: educational programs, research endeavors, budget, community outreach and service programs, and development activities. She is responsible for effective fiscal management and oversight, ensuring that the Libraries’ budget remains in balance, and for increasing fundraising success. Prior to joining UMD Libraries, she served as senior associate dean at the University of Tennessee Libraries and held various roles in scholarly communication and digital libraries at Texas A&M, the University of Kansas, and Stanford Graduate School of Business. She served on the Open Repositories Steering Committee for many years, chaired two ACRL committees, and has published and presented on many topics aligned with SPARC’s mission.
