Paul Laurence Dunbar Library | Photo by Soham Parikh | The Wright State Guardian
Wright State University (WSU) librarian Sue Polanka is leaving WSU for Appalachian State University.
Time at WSU
Polanka, a part of the WSU for the past 17 years, served in multiple departments within the library, most recently as University Librarian, a position she’s held since 2018.
Polanka’s legacy
Throughout her tenure at WSU, Polanka accomplished many feats, including securing funding for updating Dunbar Library on the WSU main campus and securing the President’s Award for Excellence in 2019 for the WSU libraries.
Less known is Polanka’s statewide and literary work. The veteran librarian wrote the reference guide “ ]No Shelf Required,” a guide to help institutions navigate the e-book market.
According to her coworkers Ran Raider, Mandy Shannon and Chris Wydman, the ambitious leader accomplished many other projects, including winning several statewide awards, becoming president of the Academic Library Association of Ohio and supporting the local branch of the Patent and Trademark Resource Center.
“She has been one of the most effective, conscientious and compassionate directors I have ever worked with,” Wydman wrote.
Polanka also reportedly excels in connection and consideration.
“Sue’s been my mentor since the day I started here. I know she’s had influence on a lot of people and not just here at Wright State but throughout the state,” Shannon said.
Polanka’s perspective
Although expressing she will miss WSU, the tenacious librarian already has goals for her new position.
“I want to build the best academic library possible for the students and faculty at Appalachian State. I look forward to new relationships, building a strong team, and working with librarians across the state of North Carolina to improve library access for all,” Polanka wrote.
Polanka, starting September 13 at her new university, will serve as Dean of University Libraries.
Wright State has not yet named a successor for Polanka’s now open position.
