Message from the V-P Academic and Research: Appointment of the University Librarian, Dr. Svetlana Kochkina
The following message was also emailed on November 7 to students, staff, and faculty.
On behalf of the Search Committee, I am pleased to share news that Dr. Svetlana Kochkina has been appointed as the University Librarian, for a five-year term, effective March 1, 2026.
Dr. Svetlana Kochkina was the Acting Head of the Osler Library of the History of Medicine at McGill University in 2024鈥�2025. In this role, she oversees a broad portfolio that includes collections management, fundraising, donor engagement, and digitization initiatives. Her collaborative projects at the university have included museums and international partners.
Previously Dr. Kochkina was the Head of Lending and Access Services of the Humanities and Social Sciences Library at McGill, where she led numerous projects, including preparing a 1.5 million-item HSSL collection for relocation to remote, high-density robotic storage. Dr. Kochkina played a key role in implementing Quebec鈥檚 Network Loan service at the McGill Library. At McGill, she has taught courses in the School of Information Studies, including Government Information, Law Information, and the History of Books and Libraries. She also held leadership positions at the Bibliographical Society of Canada (BSC), including serving as BSC President in 2023鈥�2025.
Dr. Kochkina received an MA in Philology at St. Petersburg State University, followed by MLIS and PhD degrees from the School of Information Studies at McGill University.
Many thanks to Simon Lloyd for serving as the interim University Librarian since July 1, 2025, and continuing in this interim role until February 28, 2026. Under Simon鈥檚 leadership, the Library renovation and fundraising projects have moved ahead successfully. Since July, Simon has made significant leadership contributions including a Quality Assurance Review (a key objective of the Library鈥檚 2023-2026 Strategic Plan), collection acquisitions, and overall services and supports from the Robertson Library to the University community.
Special thanks to the members of the Search Committee for their efforts during the search process, particularly Kim Mears who chaired the committee during periods of my absence during the summer. Our gratitude also goes to all who provided input during this search process. This feedback was carefully considered by the committee in its deliberations.
Greg F. Naterer, PhD, P.Eng. (he/him)
Vice-President, Academic and Research
17吃瓜
Charlottetown, PE Canada C1A 4P3
