Stephen F. Austin State University

Shirley Dickerson has been named director of the Ralph W. Steen Library at Stephen F. Austin State University, effective Aug. 1.

Dickerson graduated from SFA in 1977 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and completed her master’s degree in Library Science at Texas Women’s University in Denton in 1980. Throughout a library career spanning more than 25 years, Dickerson has served in various leadership capacities in public, academic and special libraries. Dickerson was named interim library director of Steen Library in January 2007, a capacity in which she previously served from March through May of 2005. Dr. Richard Berry, vice president for academic affairs, said the interview committee is pleased Dickerson accepted the position.

“Shirley has an impressive record of professional service both here at SFA and in libraries in Houston and Louisiana,” Berry said. “She will bring to the position interpersonal skills, knowledge and professional expertise that is needed at this time.”

“I do not take this appointment lightly,” Dickerson said. “It is an accomplishment that should be shared with many who have had an impact upon my life over the years.” Dickerson said her life experiences have taught her the importance of being fair and a person of principle. “My interpersonal skills will be critical in this position for building positive and productive relationships among colleagues throughout the campus and community,” she said.

While serving as interim, Dickerson was responsible for the development and operation of university library functions, including planning, organizing and directing library service programs in support of the educational and research goals of the university. She coordinated employment and performance of library staff and developed the library budget.

Dickerson hopes to bring strategic direction and vision in aligning library programs and services with the evolving academic directions of the university and community at-large. “The library has a facilitative and collaborative position on campus with multiple opportunities to affect student success and provide support for the research and education initiatives of the university,” she said. “The future is now, and it is important for the library to be enthusiastically involved in the creation of programs and services that will meet the goals of the university.”

Dickerson arrived at SFA in March 2002, when she accepted a position as associate library director for information services. In that capacity, she was responsible for planning and coordinating services for the Information Services Divisions, including Access Services, the East Texas Research Center, Bibliographic Services and the Research Instructional Services department.

Dickerson was awarded tenure in 2004.

Her previous experience includes two years as a director for the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Library in Houston; 10 years as a department head for Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, La.; and seven years as children’s services coordinator and assistant extension librarian at Shreve Memorial Library in Shreveport.

From 1985-1989, Dickerson produced a weekly half-hour children’s program on Shreveport Cable Television called “Mrs. Shirley’s Storytime.” She conducted storytelling, puppet-shows and interviewed guests from the community to promote reading among children.

In 1981, Dickerson worked as a social sciences/curriculum librarian for SFA, and in 1980 she worked as a research associate for Texas Women’s University. As an alumna of SFA, Dickerson said she was compelled to return to Nacogdoches to be near family members who primarily live in the East Texas and Houston areas. “I moved with my husband to Shreveport in 1982 when he accepted a job with General Motors Truck Assembly Plant,” she said. “I always knew one day I would return to Nacogdoches. I love this town and SFA. When I came to SFA in 1971, I saw it as an inviting sanctuary, an open and accepting environment that allowed me to flourish as a young adult. At SFA, I experienced a freedom and acceptance that was absent in my earlier years due to the times of racial strife and discord.”

When Dickerson’s oldest daughter, Marcherie, decided to attend SFA in 1997, the idea to return to East Texas began to resurface in Dickerson’s mind.

“I moved to Houston in 2000 for a couple of years, but it was not East Texas,” she said. “Our second daughter, Ashlee, wanted to attend SFA upon graduating high school in 2002, so I seriously began to look for employment in Nacogdoches. Imagine my surprise to learn that the associate director for information services position was vacant at Steen Library!”

Dickerson said her husband and son remained in Shreveport until their son, Aaron, graduated from high school. Aaron also decided to attend SFA, and started classes this summer. “The picture is almost complete,” Dickerson said. “My husband is nearing retirement from General Motors and will join me later this year.” Dickerson’s professional associations include the Texas Library Association and the Medical Library Association. Dickerson has served on university committees including the SFA Strategic Planning Committee, the SFA Strategic Plan Implementation Committee, the Core Curriculum Assessment Committee, the Graduate Council and the Policy Committee.

Dickerson said she has been influenced by many people along her career path. She said her grandmother, Hattie Harrison of Lufkin, taught her patience and compassion. Her mother continues to be her greatest encourager and champion. Her third- and fourth-grade school teacher, Ella Mae Austin of Lufkin, told her she could do things even though she was poor, and reinforced the “can do” mindset.

“I would be remiss if I did not mention the mentor in my professional life, Al Cage, who was director of Steen Library for more than 34 years,” Dickerson said. “I am a librarian today because Al Cage asked the right question of me at the right time. In 1979, I was working at Steen Library as a staff member in the Interlibrary Loan Department upon completing my BFA degree, because I had second thoughts about entering the teaching field. This was during the dawn of online computer searching. It was more cost effective to have a very fast typist to enter the search strategy, so I worked with research librarians doing literature searches. One day Mr. Cage was observing me at work, and he asked me if I would consider getting my master’s degree in library science so he could pay me for the job I was already doing. The rest is history!”

Dickerson said she vows to always do her very best for the good of Steen Library and SFA.