Emy Decker, Library Dean
Emy holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from The University of Alabama, an MLIS from Valdosta State University, and an MA in Art History from the University of Chicago. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Emy’s current research interests are centered on leadership and team building, professional development, nontraditional students, campus financial models, and reimagining research services toward a greater focus on user engagement and the needs of digital thinkers. In addition to presenting in venues such as the American Library Association and the Association of College & Research Libraries, she has published numerous refereed journal articles and book chapters within the library field.
CSUN is one of the nation's largest and most distinguished urban, comprehensive universities, delivering award-winning undergraduate and graduate programs to over 36,000 students annually. As a designated minority-serving and Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), CSUN boasts the largest enrollment of Deaf and hard-of-hearing students among mainstream universities in the country. The University Library, supports the Unified Library Management System and offers 234,712 square feet of state-of-the-art user space. Its collections include over 2 million titles, 200,000 serials, and 300 online databases. The archives and manuscripts collection exceeds 11,000 linear feet, housing nearly 45,000 items.
Major Responsibilities:
- Formulating a comprehensive strategic vision for the library’s future trajectory.
- Leading strategic initiatives in academic technology and scholarly communication.
- Steering the planning and development of innovative services, resources, and programs.
- Ensuring operational excellence and exceptional customer service.
- Procuring external funding to advance library priorities.
- Advocating for scholarly initiatives and academic endeavors, ensuring library collections surpass the scholarly needs of students and faculty.
- Promoting continuous improvement and innovation in library services
- Directing outreach efforts to the academic community and the surrounding area.
- Implementing and assessing educational initiatives and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
- Leading the librarians, library staff, and student employees with heart, empathy, and good cheer, creating an environment where all feel welcome, inspired, and safe.
Previous Positions
- Associate Dean for Research Services & Information Technology, The University of Alabama (UA) Libraries, Tuscaloosa, July 2019 - June 2025
- NextGen Public Services Manager, Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) Library, Atlanta, February 2016 - July 2019
- Unit Head, E-Learning Technologies, Atlanta University Center (AUC), Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta, GA, August 2012 - January 2016
- Director, Visual Resources Center (VRC), Lamar Dodd School of Art, University of Georgia (UGA), Athens, July 2005 - August 2012
- Acting Director / Assistant Curator, Visual Resources Center (VRC), The University of Chicago, IL, October 2001 - June 2005
Publications
Books
Decker, E.N. & Porter, S.M. (2018). Engaging design: Creating libraries for modern users. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, an imprint of ABC-CLIO.
Decker, E.N., & Townes, J.A. (Eds.). (2015). Handbook of research on disaster management and contingency planning in modern libraries. Hershey, PA: IGI-Global.
Selected Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Glover, K., & Decker, E.N. (2025). Fifteen years of insights: Leveraging access services conference themes to inform LIS education. Journal of Library Resource Sharing. DOI: 10.1080/26915979.2025.2591960
Decker, E.N., & Lugu, B. (2024). Black religious engagement and post-college educational pathways: The role of demographic variables. Innovative Higher Education, 49(3), 581-599. DOI: 10.1007/s10755-024-09698-5
Decker, E.N., & Waltemate, B.G. (2024). Mapping library lending: Using GIS technology to explore ILL lending data. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 50(2). DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102858
Decker, E.N. (2023). Responsibility Center Management (RCM) and enrollment, graduation, financial aid, and retention: Examining trends at four public institutions. Journal of Education Finance, 49(1), 1-25.
Decker, E.N. (2023). A statistical analysis of the tangible fine art book collection at an academic library. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 49(2), DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2022.102648
Decker, E.N., & Simpson, L. (2023). Implementing Project READY at an academic library: Survey analysis of a DEI training experience. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 49(2), DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2022.102634
Goss, H., & Decker, E.N. (2022). Replacing staff with students to monitor LibChat service: Transition process and lessons learned. Reference Services Review, 50(3-4), 419-431. DOI: 10.1108/RSR-06-2022-0024
Education
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Ph.D., Higher Education Administration, August 2025
Valdosta State University, GA
M.L.I.S. (ALA-accredited), May 2010
The University of Chicago, IL
M.A., Art History, December 2001
University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
B.A., Sociology and Art History (double major); minor, Classics. Honors, June 2000