Emy Decker, Library Dean
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, January 2022 - June 2025
- Associate Dean for Research & User Services, The University of Alabama (UA) Libraries, Tuscaloosa, July 2019 - January 2022
- 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
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
Decker, E.N., & Chapman, K. (2022). Launching chat service during the pandemic: Inaugurating a new public service under emergency conditions. Reference Services Review, 50(2), 163-178. DOI: 10.1108/RSR-08-2021-0051
Education
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Ph.D., Higher Education Administration (defended April 24, 2025) August 2025 Graduation
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