Expertise

Topics:  Trends in Scholarly Communication, Research Evaluation, Learning Space Design, Future of Research Libraries, Impact of Open Science on Publishing and Libraries

Industries: Library and Information Management

Keith Webster was appointed dean of University Libraries at Carnegie Mellon University in July 2013 and was additionally appointed as director of Emerging and Integrative Media Initiatives in July 2015 and Posner Dean’s Chair in 2021. Webster’s professional interests include research evaluation, learning space design and trends in scholarly communication. He is a regular speaker on topics such as the future of research libraries and the impact of open science on publishing and libraries.

Media Experience

The internet was built on open source software — it’s more important today than ever | Opinion  — The Hill
As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a feeling that the ground beneath us is not yet stable. Ongoing effects such as the inflation crisis and longstanding concerns such as climate change continue to affect our everyday lives.

CMU Sustainability Initiative Finds a Permanent Home  — Carnegie Mellon University
Under the leadership of Helen and Henry Posner, Jr. Dean of the University Libraries Keith Webster(opens in new window), the Libraries has evolved its offerings and spaces in response to the needs of its users. "Our 21st century library must reflect the needs of 21st century learners so that we can continue to enrich the Carnegie Mellon experience." said Webster. "The community made it clear through their feedback that they desired a physical location to connect across the Global Goals. In this first-of-its-kind space for CMU, we have designed an environment for our best and brightest minds to come together to find solutions to the world's biggest problems."

Librarians at Pittsburgh universities praise new rule broadening access to scientific research  — 90.5 WESA
Dean of Libraries at Carnegie Mellon University Keith Webster predicts this move will help democratize research. "It will improve the integrity of science. It will increase public trust in taxpayer-funded research. And it will promote equity in the research enterprise. It's an exciting time."

Interview with Keith Webster on the rapid pace of change in research libraries  — OCLC Video
Keith Webster, Dean of University Libraries and Director of Emerging and Integrative Media Initiatives at Carnegie Mellon University sits down for an in-depth interview with OCLC Research Senior Program Officer Rebecca Bryant. They discuss how academic libraries have changed in the last two decades and Keith reflects on the growth of digital content and the rapidly evolving scholarly record.

The Posner Foundation gifts $16 million to CMU  — The Business Journals
"The Posner Family has been a friend of the university libraries for decades, and I am incredibly honored to be the first Posner Dean for the University Libraries," said Keith Webster, who has served as Dean of Libraries since 2013. "This endowment will allow us to advance key initiatives, elevate the profile of the University Libraries and attract the next generation of academic library leaders to CMU."