Romaniuk returns to province in vice-provost position
Academic joins University of Calgary to head up libraries and cultural resources
Mary-Jo Romaniuk is pleased to be back in Alberta again as the new vice-provost (libraries and cultural resources) at the University of Calgary.
Romaniuk grew up in Regina and went to University of Saskatchewan to earn her B.Comm in accounting, after which she moved to Edmonton to work in administration in the university’s library.
The library at U of A has a fine reputation, particularly for its extensive Bruce Peel Special Collections, and Romaniuk was soon absorbed in the world of print and had a desire to learn more about library management. Romaniuk studied for her Master of Library Science at San Jose State University in California, followed by a PhD, Leadership — Library & Information Science at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.
Romaniuk was appointed acting chief librarian at the University of Alberta where she was awarded a Library Journal Mover and Shaker Award for creating a partnership with the Edmonton Public Library to address students’ needs more appropriately.
During her time there, she led data and preservation initiatives and was instrumental in the acquisition of the Sam Steel Family Archives.
For the past four years, Romaniuk served as librarian at the University of Manitoba.
A leader in her field, she initiated several services and programs to improve student experiences.
Romaniuk says the move to Calgary gives her the opportunity to be a vital part of a dynamic and energized university that values teaching, research and its communities.
“Libraries and cultural resources are integral to the academic and research experience and I look forward to building on the strong foundation that exists at UCalgary,” she says.
There’s already a lot of strength in the broad portfolio Romaniuk has under her guidance from her offices in the Taylor Family Digital Library. Her responsibilities encompass the university’s libraries, archives and special collections — a huge accumulation of valuable items such as the Evelyn De Mille donation that includes a leaf of the Gutenberg Bible, a leaf printed by William Caxton in 1543 and a 16th Century Book of Hours. It also boasts the EMI Music Canada records collection and 28,000 printed items of the late Bob Gibson’s speculative fiction.
Romaniuk also oversees the University of Calgary Press, which publishes around 25 imprints each year; Nickle Galleries, which opens the Judy Griebel: Illuminated Collapse exhibition today; Architectural Archives; the High Density Library at Spy Hill, which is undergoing renovations that will extend its capacity for the next 20 years; and the Founders’ Gallery at The Military Museum.
Romaniuk is looking forward to getting to know and working with her 120 staff and the various faculties, as well as the broader city community.
But Romaniuk will still find time to continue as co-executive director of the Northern Exposure to Leadership Institute, board member of the University of Southern California Centre for Library Leadership and Management, and maybe enjoy some skiing.
It was a privilege for me to know Ray and Helen Van Helden who founded Van Helden Agencies 68 years ago in the Lougheed Building. Ray died at 97 years of age. He retired in 1972 but welcomed his son Dave to the firm back in 1954 to help it grow.
Dave’s son and current president Douglas joined the firm in 1992 and now the firm has welcomed a fourth generation Van Helden, Daniel. Daniel earned a degree in geology from University of Alberta and gained valuable insurance experience as an oil and gas underwriter with Chubb Insurance Canada.
Libraries and cultural resources are integral to the academic and research experience.