McGeary will serve as the chief strategist and advocate for library services that support research, teaching, and student success across URochester.
Timothy McGeary, a nationally respected leader in library technology, digital strategy, and research infrastructure, has been named the next University of Rochester Librarian and the Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean of the University of Rochester Libraries. He will begin his new role on March 1, 2026.
McGeary comes to URochester from Duke University, where he currently serves as associate university librarian for digital strategies and technology. In this role, he oversees major enterprise systems, digital preservation and repository services, software development, data and visualization services, and technology operations that support teaching, research, and scholarship across Duke’s campus. His leadership portfolio also includes institution-wide partnerships and collaborations on research computing and data services, academic technologies, and long-term digital infrastructure planning.
“Tim brings an impressive depth of experience and a forward-looking approach that aligns perfectly with the University of Rochester’s aspirations for its libraries and academic mission,” says Provost Nicole Sampson. “He is a trusted and collaborative leader whose work has strengthened digital scholarship, modernized library systems, and expanded the capabilities of research libraries. I am confident that his vision and partnership-oriented leadership will serve our faculty, students, and staff exceptionally well.”
At Duke, McGeary has led strategic efforts to modernize and integrate digital systems, advance open-source and community-developed library technologies, and expand service models that support evolving scholarly practices. He previously held leadership positions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Lehigh University, where he guided teams in library technology services, systems integration, digital scholarship support, and academic IT strategy. Throughout his career, he has built collaborative partnerships across academic units, developed organizational cultures that foster innovation, and contributed to national initiatives focused on digital repositories, open-source system governance, and shared library technology platforms.
As University Librarian and Neilly Dean, McGeary will serve as the chief strategist and advocate for library services that support research, teaching, and student success across the University. The University Librarian and Neilly Dean provides strategic leadership for the libraries’ collections, facilities, digital infrastructure, scholarly communications programs, research support services, and partnerships across all schools. The role also includes advancing space planning and renovation priorities, strengthening external engagement and fundraising, and enhancing the libraries’ visibility as an essential partner in the University’s academic mission. McGeary’s experience leading cross-functional teams, large-scale project and portfolio management, collaborating with faculty and campus leadership, and managing multi-institution partnerships centered on user experience positions him to guide URochester’s libraries through a period of strategic change as part of Boundless Possibility.
“I am deeply honored to join the University of Rochester and to lead a library system with such a strong foundation, dedicated staff, and commitment to academic excellence,” McGeary says. “Rochester’s libraries play a critical role in supporting scholarship, creativity, and innovation. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across the University to build on that strength, expand digital and research capabilities, and continue creating spaces and services that meet the needs of today’s learners.”
Provost Sampson expresses her appreciation to the search committee for their thoughtful and dedicated work throughout the national search process. She offered special thanks to Wendi Heinzelman, dean of the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and a professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, who chaired the committee. “Wendi’s leadership ensured that we engaged a strong pool of candidates and a comprehensive, community-centered review process,” Sampson says. “I am grateful to her and to every member of the committee for their time, insight, and commitment to the University.”
The University of Rochester Libraries support academic inquiry, research excellence, student learning, and creative exploration across all disciplines. Through dynamic collections, expert staff, innovative digital services, and vibrant physical and virtual environments, the libraries advance the University’s mission and strengthen the scholarly community.
