UNK selects Evan Boyd as next Library Dean

KEARNEY, NE — A Minnesota native with a background studying religion is poised to become the next Dean of the Library at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Following a national search, UNK announced Tuesday that Evan Boyd will lead the school’s library. He comes to Kearney from the United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia where he is the library director and archivist. He manages library collections and services, the institutional archives, a significant rare book collection of 16th century imprints and a regional archive. Boyd also chairs the institution’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force and is secretary of the faculty.

Boyd holds master’s degrees in religion and library and information science, with additional graduate studies in gender and women’s studies.

He previously served as an assistant professor and director of library services at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, and director of the Lapp Learning Commons at Chicago Theological Seminary. He is a member of the American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, ALA Rainbow Round Table and Southeastern Pennsylvania Theological Library Association.

Boyd replaces Janet Wilke, who is retiring after leading UNK’s Calvin T. Ryan Library for 16 years. Pending University of Nebraska Board of Regents approval, he will start at UNK on Aug. 1.