Bandelin tapped for board president, Oberlin Group Libraries

Janis Bandelin not only serves as the leader of Furman Libraries and 26 staff and faculty members, she is now board president for Oberlin Group Libraries, a consortium representing 80 libraries of selective, top-ranked liberal arts colleges, most of which are situated in the Northeast and Upper Midwest.

The group’s primary purpose is to provide a forum for members to discuss issues of common concern, share information on best practices, and help members anticipate and adapt to the challenges of library administration and liberal arts education.

While the consortium has existed since the mid-1980s, Furman joined the elite, invitation-only organization in 2006 thanks to Bandelin’s lobbying efforts.  “I remember receiving ‘the call’ 11 years ago from a member inviting Furman to join. It was a great honor,” said Bandelin.

Furman is the only South Carolina institution represented in the group. Its nearest neighbor is Davidson College (N.C.), and both institutions will be hosting Oberlin Group’s annual fall meeting, which will take place on the Furman campus in November 2018.

The significance of the first meeting to be hosted by Furman is not lost on Bandelin who became director of Furman Libraries in 1996. “Many of the member institutions are not familiar with Furman,” Bandelin said. “The meeting represents a great stage for introducing Furman and Greenville to a large contingent of library directors from peer and aspirant institutions.”

For more information, contact Janis Bandelin at 864-294-2191 and janis.bandelin@furman.edu.