By Ellis Willard
Associate Dean of Collections Danielle Emerling
Last summer, West Virginia University Libraries welcomed its very own Danielle Emerling as associate dean of collections.
Danielle Emerling, Associate Dean of Collections.
Previously associate director of the West Virginia and Regional History Center (WVRHC), Emerling brings more than 15 years of extensive archival and collections experience from both outside and within WVU.
“Not only is Danielle’s experience as an archivist and collections steward exceptional, her knowledge of WVU, the Libraries, and our general and special collections is unmatched,” Dean of WVU Libraries Karen Diaz said. “This, coupled with her proven leadership and dedication to our mission, uniquely positions her to drive the strategic direction of our physical and digital collections.”
Emerling has planned and implemented initiatives to improve management, preservation, and access to collections, developing the infrastructure and support needed for these essential projects, including administering more than $2 million in grant and other funding.
As the WVRHC’s modern congressional and political papers archivist, Emerling established programs where none existed before, stewarding thousands of linear feet of materials in the collections of former Members of Congress Jay Rockefeller, Nick Rahall, Arch Moore, and David McKinley, among others. As the WVRHC’s associate director, she advised and consulted with leadership, faculty, and staff to develop strategic vision and priorities, setting policies for the History Center in service to WVU students, faculty, researchers, and land-grant mission.
Most recently, Emerling co-led a Libraries charge to enhance discovery, preservation, and access for digital special collections materials and worked interdepartmentally to plan for and implement a new digital asset management system that uses and contributes to open-source communities and library consortia. Across the profession she has led a multi-institution collaborative initiative to better preserve and provide improved access to the geographically dispersed records of the legislative branch for research and education through the American Congress Digital Archives Portal project.
“I am honored to join the leadership team of WVU Libraries and oversee the critical work of stewarding our rich collections across the Morgantown campus libraries,” Emerling said. “I am excited to work with the Libraries’ talented staff and our partners to sustainably build collections, pursue innovative ways of increasing discoverability and access to our collections, and advance the mission of the Libraries and WVU.”
In her new role, Emerling now oversees the Knowledge Access and Resource Management department, the WVRHC, the William A. Neal Museum of the Health Sciences, and the Libraries Depository. In addition, she continues to enhance general and special collections access and storage preservation standards for digital and physical materials.
Emerling has published work on collections acquisition, management, and preservation, provided instruction with special collections for many WVU courses, and was an invited presenter to the U.S. Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress. She earned her Master of Library Science and Master of Arts in History degrees from Indiana University Bloomington.
Head of Research Support and Engagement Terra Rogerson
Terra Rogerson, previously a research support and engagement librarian at WVU Libraries, has been named head of the Research Support and Engagement (RSE) department.
Terra Rogerson, Head, Research Services & Engagement.
Rogerson brings over a decade of experience to this role, including librarianship and managership. She is a community building leader with a library-centered focus and passion. She has established relationships with WVU research faculty across campus as well as throughout the Libraries.
Rogerson now prioritizes guiding the development of the RSE department’s goals and executing and leading its services to strengthen the Libraries’ support for campus researchers, ultimately helping to bolster the University’s R1 mission.
“Our University’s researchers and my fellow librarians’ dedication is inspiring,” Rogerson said. “I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to impact not only the research support and engagement librarians, but WVU Libraries’ commitment to the WVU researchers we serve in a deeper way.”
In her new role, Rogerson provides leadership for the RSE department and direct active programming for education, training, advocacy, support, and information sharing regarding a wide range of Libraries research services.
“I look forward to expanding the work I’ve already begun in helping build the WVU Libraries community. I firmly believe that by working together we will accomplish extraordinary things,” Rogerson said.
Prior to her time at WVU Libraries, Rogerson spent 15 years in academic libraries and institutions, teaching information literacy, providing reference services, managing programming, and more. Rogerson earned her Master of Library and Information Science from Florida State University and a master’s in coursework, curriculum, and instruction from Texas State University. Rogerson is also in the process of earning her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from WVU.
Assistant Director of Access Services Rae Cornell
Rae Cornell, previously the supervisor of Access Services at the Downtown Library, has been named assistant director of the Access Services department.
Rae Cornell, Assistant Director, Access Services.
Cornell brings a decade of library experience and a patron-first approach into her new role. Since 2017, Cornell has been dedicated to student and public service at WVU Libraries. She’s managed physical and multimedia collections, created guides for patrons and staff, supervised student workers and Access Services department staff, and led several projects — including WVU Libraries’ transition to a new electronic reserve system, Ares.
Cornell hurdled challenges during the COVID pandemic, working closely with the director of Access Services and using her passion for safety, customer service, and a positive and inclusive work environment.
In her new role, Cornell will lead Access Services operations at the Downtown, Evansdale, and Health Sciences Libraries, including circulation, customer service, reserves, stacks management, photocopying and printing services, and study room reservations. She will also provide supervision, support, and mentorship to all Access Services staff. Cornell will work with the director of Access Services to ensure excellent front-line customer service at all libraries.
Cornell earned a Master of Library Information and Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
Other Promotions
WVU Libraries congratulates the following librarians on their promotions:
- Danielle Emerling to University Librarian
- Jane LaBarbara to University Librarian
- Catherine Fonseca to Associate University Librarian
- Jennifer Dubetz to Assistant University Librarian
- Eva Murphy to Assistant University Librarian
- Grace Musgrave to Assistant University Librarian
- Ashley Purvis to Assistant University Librarian
- Emily Zumbrum to Assistant University Librarian