With a strong commitment to public service, LSU Libraries Dean Stanley Wilder has extended Middleton Library hours to 24/5, purchased thousands of new e-books, and now, created two new positions to further public services at LSU Libraries.

Award-winning faculty member Lois Kuyper-Rushing has been named Associate Dean of Public Services. Kuyper-Rushing has been at LSU Libraries since 1993. She was appointed Interim Assistant Dean in 2003, after serving as head of Music Resources starting in 1996.

Kelly Blessinger has been named Head of Access Services, and will lead the Circulation and Interlibrary Loan departments.  These key departments offer students the first glimpse of what the LSU Libraries offers, and are integral to providing access to the Libraries' resources.  Blessinger has been with LSU Libraries since 1999. She has co-edited a book about workplace culture in academic libraries, and was instrumental in securing a grant for a recent film series program sponsored by the LSU Libraries. "As the new Head of Access Services, I look forward to working with the Circulation and Interlibrary Loan units to create more efficient workflows and collaboration between these units. The end result will be an improved experience for those who use these services," said Blessinger.

Cristina Caminita will assume the duties of Head of Research & Instruction Services. Caminita has worked at the LSU libraries since 2011, as the Agriculture Librarian, and has also taught LIS 1001. In 2012, she was named an Emerging Leader by the American Library Association. “I’m excited about integrating RIS’s mission of supporting student learning and faculty research throughout the University," says Caminita, "Librarians are already doing wonderfully creative things with Residential Colleges and embedding within academic departments and specific classes. In the next year, we will be working to support LSU Discover, the University’s undergraduate research initiative. We hope to expand our contact with students, faculty, and academic and support services.”

Kuyper-Rushing looks forward to leading Middleton Library's public services, stating that “LSU Libraries’ public service librarians are poised to re-engage with faculty and students as we create new learning spaces and explore innovative approaches to learning.”