Flo Wilson
Flo Wilson came to Vanderbilt in 1984 as Assistant Director of the Library
for Systems. Under her leadership, the Library developed its online catalog,
ACORN, and implemented many other automated library services. In 1989, she
also assumed responsibility for the technical services functions for the library
system - acquiring and cataloging library materials. Since 1996 she has had
varying responsibilities in the library system, including budget, personnel,
off-site storage. Passing on many of the other responsibilities to others,
most recently she has been designated Head of Public Services with leadership
responsibility for all of the libraries but Biomedical and Law, and Director
of the Walker Management Library.
Flo graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Economics. Prior to coming to Vanderbilt, she worked as a Security Analyst for several years, earned her Masters degree in Librarianship, and served in several different positions in the Library at George Mason University.
Summary of Job Responsibilities
Flo plays three separate roles in the Jean and Alexander Heard Library. She is Deputy University Librarian and serves a leadership role for the system as a whole. As Head of Public Services, she works closely with the directors of all of the Vanderbilt Libraries to develop responsive and supportive services for the University community. In this role, she is actively working with others on the development of information literacy programs, and on library assessment activities. Flo’s third responsibility is providing leadership of the Walker Management Library as its director. She works actively with a staff of 12 to enhance and deliver high quality library services to the Owen community.
Research Interests
- Library public services
- New online information services and their use
- Information literacy
- Library management
- Assessment of library services
Publications, Presentations & Professional Involvement
Flo has been very active in the American Library Association (ALA) and in several of its divisions. She has served on various committees and has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA); she has also served as President of LITA.
