Florida International University, Dean of University Libraries

We are pleased to announce that Benjamin Walker has been appointed Dean of University Libraries at FIU, effective May 11, 2026.

Ben brings more than two decades of leadership experience in academic research libraries, most recently serving as Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Access & Technical Services at the University of Florida’s George A. Smathers Libraries. In this role, he provided strategic oversight for six departments and more than 65 faculty and staff, leading major organizational restructurings, statewide collaborative storage initiatives, and the development of systems supporting large-scale digital collections, including UF’s work with the Digital Library of the Caribbean.

Ben launched his career at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville before joining UF in 2004, where he advanced through leadership roles across access services, shared collections, digital services, and library administration. He has held significant national and regional service roles with ASERL, the Rosemont Shared Print Alliance, and the HathiTrust Shared Print Program, contributing to the evolution of shared print, digital preservation, and collaborative resource management.

A committed scholar and practitioner, Ben has published and presented widely on shared collections, digital libraries, metadata, faculty affairs, and emerging models of library leadership. His professional development includes the Harvard Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians, the ARL Research Library Leadership Fellows Program, and other statewide leadership initiatives.

Ben holds a Specialist in Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida, a Master of Science in Library Studies from Florida State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Central Florida.

As Dean, Ben will guide FIU Libraries at a pivotal moment for public research libraries, advancing student-centered learning, digital innovation, and FIU’s growing research enterprise. He will lead strategic planning, resource stewardship, and technology-forward initiatives that expand access to knowledge and strengthen scholarly productivity—supporting FIU’s mission and its strategic goal to become a Top 30 public university by 2030.