Shaffer comes to OHSU from the University of Iowa, where he served as Assistant Director for Technology and Outreach at the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences. He has been a strong and effective advocate for information services across the University of Iowa, its hospitals and clinics, and throughout the state. Having served for 15 years in library services for academic and health care institutions, Chris brings to OHSU a wealth of experience and innovative ideas for serving the information needs of OHSU faculty, researchers and students.

As only the fourth OHSU University Librarian since 1919, Shaffer will succeed Jim Morgan, who served for 32 years until his retirement in March 2008. Morgan successfully led the library through years of unprecedented growth and change as technology dramatically altered the way information is stored and shared, and during the library’s transition into the Biomedical Information Communication Center (BICC) in 1991. David Robinson, Vice Provost for Academic Technology, served as Interim University Librarian and chaired the search committee for Morgan’s replacement.

“Technology remains at the heart of changes across the biosciences,” said OHSU Provost Lesley Hallick,  “and information services are crucial for helping us not only react to those changes, but use them to transform the way we conduct education, do research and provide healthcare. Chris will help lead those efforts at OHSU and bring our unique information resources to a statewide audience.” 

The author and editor of numerous scholarly and technical publications, Shaffer has been an active teacher, panelist and guest speaker throughout his career as a librarian. While at the University of Iowa, he developed the library’s strategic plan and led the reference, education/outreach and circulation units. In addition to designing and implementing outreach programs to meet the needs of health professionals and Iowa residents, Chris also developed a plan for university-wide, advanced technology facilities. He also has a background in managing public and private budgets for health sciences libraries.

“OHSU and the OHSU Library have a reputation for developing pioneering, cutting-edge programs that have impacts far beyond the university campus,” said Shaffer. “I’m interested in how library services can accelerate the growth of those kinds of innovations and extend their reach throughout Oregon.”

Shaffer holds a Master of Science degree in Information Science from the University of North Texas and received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Texas A&M University; he is a second-generation librarian. He will assume his post at OHSU Library on August 1.

About the OHSU Library
The OHSU Library is the repository of over 90,000 volumes, with over 20,000 books and journals available in electronic format. A proxy server allows off-campus access to most electronic resources to OHSU faculty, students and staff. For more information visit the OHSU Library online.

 
About OHSU
Oregon Health & Science University is the state’s only health and research university, and Oregon’s only academic health center. OHSU is Portland's largest employer and the fourth largest in Oregon (excluding government), with 12,400 employees. OHSU's size contributes to its ability to provide many services and community support activities not found anywhere else in the state. It serves patients from every corner of the state, and is a conduit for learning for more than 3,400 students and trainees. OHSU is the source of more than 200 community outreach programs that bring health and education services to every county in the state.