Kerrie Burn appointed University Librarian

The University of Divinity is pleased to announce the appointment of Kerrie Burn as University Librarian.

The University Librarian is a senior leader in the University and is responsible for providing the strategic direction, management and leadership of an end-user focused and innovative library service, to meet the present and future learning, teaching and research needs of University of Divinity staff and students.

Kerrie worked previously in several theological libraries in Melbourne (Ridley and Whitley Colleges) and has held library and research support roles in the Australian university sector (Southern Cross University and Australian Catholic University).

Kerrie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies from the University of Melbourne. She is also an alumna of the University of Divinity, having completed a Master of Arts by Research in 2007 through the then Melbourne College of Divinity.

In July 2018, Kerrie was admitted to Distinguished Certified Professional membership of the Australian Library and Information Association – AFALIA (DCP). and in 2020 she was elected to membership of the Atla (American Theological Library Association) Board of Directors.

She was previously a member of Atla’s International Theological Librarianship Education Task Force, which produced resources and provided professional development opportunities for theological librarians working in countries with developing economies. Kerrie initiated the Australian Women in Religion Wikipedia project at the University of Divinity in 2019 and leads Australia’s contribution to the international Women in Religion Project.

Kerrie Burn was appointed to the University Librarian role in March 2023 and will also continue on as Mannix Library Manager, at Catholic Theological College and as Manager of the University’s online Library Hub.

About the appointment, Kerrie said:

It is an honour and privilege to step into this role and I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to the development of a renewed strategic vision for libraries at the University of Divinity.  Increased collaboration across our network will provide many opportunities to both reduce costs and enhance library systems, services, and resources, and will ultimately deliver benefits to staff, students, and patrons of the University’s partner libraries. The pursuit of strategic library goals will need to balance our ever-increasing reliance on electronic resources, with the need to maintain access to our significant research and historic print collections. I look forward to working with library staff and other members of the University community as we partner together to support high-quality theological education and research.