Sandra G. Yee's appointment as dean of University Libraries at Wayne State University was approved by the University's Board of Governors March 28. The appointment is effective May 1.

Dr. Yee joins Wayne State from Eastern Michigan University, where she served as professor and academic department head of the university library. She has been with Eastern Michigan University since her appointment as a coordinator of access services in 1982, holding ever more responsible positions until her appointment as department head in 1990.

Previously, she was coordinator of library services at Muskegon Community College.

Yee was named the Michigan Librarian Association's Librarian of the Year in 1999.

A resident of Brighton, Michigan, she holds a bachelor's degree and an M.L.S. degree from Western Michigan University and an Ed.D. from the University of Michigan.

Yee will be responsible for providing leadership to advance the overall educational and research mission of Wayne State University within the context of the university's five-unit library system. She will report to the provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, Dr. Charles Bantz.

"We are especially delighted to have someone with Sandra Yee's talent, intelligence and enthusiasm in this key position," said Bantz.

"Libraries have always been key to a university's success," Bantz said. "The advent of electronic information sources means that libraries have an even more important role in helping students and faculty obtain access to information they need at the time and place they need it."

Bantz said Wayne State University libraries already rank in the top 10 in providing electronic information. "Dr. Yee will greatly enhance this effort," he said.

Yee succeeds Interim Dean Robert Holley, who is returning to the faculty of Library and Information Sciences.

"Bob Holley's service as interim dean moved university libraries forward in electronic information resources. He demonstrated the willingness to take on difficult challenges," said Bantz.

Wayne State University is a 31,000-student institution located within Detroit's vibrant cultural center and the Detroit Medical Center. The library system, including law and medical libraries, and a new state-of-the-art undergraduate library center, ranks 48th in the Association of Research Libraries.