Kate Harger became the University of Detroit Mercy’s new Dean of Libraries on Aug. 1. Serving most recently as the Director of Library & Academic Support Services at Henry Ford College, Harger brings over two decades of academic library leadership experience with her.
Harger possesses a broad academic background. In addition to her master’s degree in library and information science, which is standard for librarians, Harger has a doctorate in business administration, a bachelor’s degree in communications, and a post-baccalaureate paralegal certificate, according to her curriculum vitae. She has also completed more than 30 hours of interior design coursework.
Harger grew up in St. Louis, Michigan, which she said is “the exact center of the mitten.” She moved to Detroit for work in 2002 and said that the city now feels “like my hometown.”
“For my whole career, I’ve always wanted to be able to work in the city of Detroit,” Harger said. “I love what’s going on in the city and the energy.”
When asked what drew Harger to Detroit Mercy specifically, she said the university is “an exciting place to be.” She expressed enthusiasm to be working at a university “with this level of prestige,” referencing Wall Street Journal/College Pulse’s recent America’s Best Colleges lists.
“Last year, we were ranked as 52 in the nation … we’re 43 now,” Harger said.
Harger likewise praised Detroit Mercy’s unique blend of spiritual and ethical development and academics, crediting the university’s Jesuit and Mercy traditions.
“At Detroit Mercy, I think there’s such an emphasis on service: serving one another, serving the community,” Harger said. “That really resonated with me.”
Harger takes over from Marilyn Dow, who served as the interim Dean of Libraries since Feb. 2022 and helped guide the library through the aftermath of the pandemic. Now, with Harger stepping into the role for the long term, students are likely to see more changes in the library.
According to Amy Keyzer, the administrative assistant to the Dean of Libraries, Harger is already on an “intensive listening tour.”
“She’s been holding one-on-one meetings with every employee, and she is very organized,” Keyzer said.
Rebecca Tull, an assistant library professor, already had her one-on-one with Harger. Topics covered, according to Tull, included “our workflow and how everyone works together — roles and responsibilities.”
“[Harger’s] said, since the get-go, ‘Open door, come talk to me about anything,’” Tull said. “I think she’s pretty hands on.”
Additionally, Keyzer stated that Harger, in line with this year’s Celebrate Spirit theme, asked departments to “get together and talk about … ‘What does radical hospitality look like in your department?’”
As far as specific plans,Harger said that the library, which will be celebrating its 75th anniversary next year, may need some facilities renovations. Otherwise, Harger said that gathering input from students plays a large part in informing her decisions.
“Every place is unique, and every group of students is unique,” Harger said. “Sometimes I’ll just mingle within the library space and ask users, ‘What’s working for you? If you were to see a change, what would you like it to be?’”
Harger also advised students: “Reach out. Come explore your library, walk around, and certainly, if you have questions, find one of us and ask, even if it’s just really open ended, like, ‘What do you have to offer here?’”
