A yearlong search for a library dean ended last month with President Donald Gerth?s hiring of Terry Webb.

Webb?s hiring is the final chapter in a story that began when the previous library dean, Patricia Larsen, resigned last year over controversial remarks she made in a speech regarding Japanese-Americans.

Webb pointed to his experience living among various ethnic groups and said he is sensitive to issues of race.

“I come from a background in Hawaii where the population was very diverse, I found the population not having a majority ethnic group refreshing,” he said.

Webb has a doctorate in cultural anthropology from Arizona State University and a master?s in library science from the University of Arizona. He will start work June 1.

Webb, who currently serves as dean of the Guggenheim library at Monmouth University in New Jersey, is excited to be moving back to the West Coast. “The location was a factor in accepting the position,” he said. “We lived in Hawaii for 15 years and wanted to move back west.”

The new dean is an advocate of efforts throughout the world to digitize library content.

“I think this is exactly where libraries should go, capturing artifacts in digital format for everyone to access,” he said.

Webb hopes to have a good working relationship with President Gerth and the rest of the Sac State administration.

“I?m encouraged by the administration?s view on the library,” he said. “Their approach and enthusiasm has been exceptional.”

The library is currently undergoing a re-model intended to create more usable space, something that has impressed Webb.

“It?s really big. There is a lot going on building-wise,” he said.

Webb will be taking over the $126,000 per year post from acting dean Tamara Frost Trujillo, who will stay on at Gerth?s request as senior associate dean and report to Webb.

Gerth, in a memo dated March 27, cited Frost Trujillo?s “continuing outstanding contributions” in appointing her to the $112,980 per year job.

According to the office of faculty and staff affairs, Frost Turjillo?s new title carries the same pay and benefits package as her previous position as associate dean of the library.

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