Dear UVM community, 

In March, we shared the news that Bryn Geffert would be stepping down from his position as Dean of UVM Libraries effective June 30, 2026. I’m writing today to announce that Aaron Nichols has accepted the appointment of Interim Dean of UVM Libraries beginning July 1.

Currently UVM Libraries’ Director of Access, Technology, and Multimedia Services and a Library Associate Professor, Aaron has more than 20 years of experience as an academic librarian and 18 years as a supervisor and leader. He understands the evolving landscape of academic libraries and the importance of responding to the needs of students, researchers, community members, and institutional partners.  

As Acting Dean of UVM Libraries in 2025, Aaron held primary responsibility for the UVM Libraries budget, including major collections decisions and stewardship of the operations budget, and worked with circulation staff and campus partners to open Howe as an all-night study space for students during final exams. In his director role he has led numerous projects that modernized services and strengthened operations. In Multimedia Services, he shifted the program from traditional content acquisition and distribution to a technology-rich model focused on multimedia creation, emerging technologies, and equipment-based learning in support of digital scholarship. Over the past two years, he has worked with colleagues to assess AI’s impact on academic libraries and to develop an approach for UVM Libraries. He has been a member of the UVM Libraries team since 2011.

Please join me in congratulating Aaron on this appointment and wishing Bryn all the best as he transitions into a teaching position in the Honors College.

Linda S. Schadler
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President