Bringing more than a decade of experience in history and archives, Elizabeth Myers was recently appointed as the director of the Wayne State University Library System’s Walter P. Reuther Library.

“Beth Myers’ knowledge and archival experience will certainly benefit the Reuther Library,” said Wayne State Library System Dean Sandra Yee. “She has extensive experience in twentieth century American history, public history and women’s history, as well as managing and directing archives programs. We look forward to her leadership, which we expect will raise the Reuther Library’s services to even higher levels in the years to come.”

After receiving her master’s and doctoral degrees in history from Loyola University, Myers accepted an opportunity to lead the Women and Leadership Archives at Loyola University Chicago, where she served as its director since 2006. While at Loyola, Myers worked to gain physical and intellectual control over the archives’ collections, developed targeted outreach programs and obtained grants to further digitization projects. She also taught classes in Loyola’s History and Public History department and Women’s Studies/Gender Studies department as well as Dominican University’s School of Library and Information Science.

Myers’ research interests include women’s archives, the relevancy of archives in the digital age and exploring issues of power, access and ethics in archives and archival collections. In addition to participating in the 2010 Archives Leadership Institute, Myers is an active member of the Society of American Archivists and the Midwest Archives Conference.

At Wayne State, Myers is looking forward to working with the Reuther staff on new and ongoing projects as well as developing more community outreach activities. “Reuther is a dream job,” said Myers. “It’s so well known and respected. I look forward to working with the staff to continue their great work while at the same time, planning for the future of the library.”

The Wayne State University Library System consists of the university's five libraries: The David Adamany Undergraduate Library, the Purdy/Kresge Library, the Shiffman Medical Library, the Arthur Neef Law Library and the Science and Engineering Library and the School of Library and Information Science Program.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 29,000 students.