Cox named president of Association of Southeastern Research Libraries

Clemson University Dean of Libraries Chris Cox has been named president of the Associational of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL), one of the largest regional research library consortia in the United States.

ASERL has 38 member libraries across an 12-state region, spanning from Maryland to Louisiana. It brings together leaders from research, federal and state libraries to foster collaboration and resource sharing across institutions.

Over the next year, the ASERL Board of Directors will begin a new series of focus groups with its members to solicit input on future programming directions, an idea first raised by Cox, said ASERL Executive Director John Burger. 

“Chris will be the first ASERL president from Clemson in more than 20 years,” said Burger. “He’s provided tremendous leadership for us in other roles relating to our highly regarded diversity, equity, and inclusion activities. I’m really looking forward to working more closely with Chris as we explore new ways ASERL libraries can further collaborate into the future.”

“I look forward to working with my colleagues at the ASERL Libraries, both virtually and again in person, to provide better library services to those we serve and be a leader within the profession,” said Cox. “It’s been almost two years since we have been able to gather together. I see this year as one of rebuilding community with a specific focus on inclusion.”

Cox has served at Clemson since 2018. Prior to coming to Clemson, he served as dean of library services at the University of Northern Iowa. He was previously dean of libraries at Western Washington University and served as assistant director of libraries at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Susquehanna University, a master’s in English from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Library and Information Science at the State University of New York at Albany. He is currently working towards earning his Ph.D. in educational leadership from Clemson.