The University of Kansas Libraries has welcomed its first international librarian-in-residence, marking a major step forward for the Institute for Globally Engaged Librarianship (IGEL) and its efforts to build meaningful global partnerships.

Patience Eméfa Dzandza Ocloo, a faculty member and senior lecturer in the Department of Information Studies at the University of Ghana, arrived in March and is spending part of her research sabbatical at KU Libraries.

During her residency, she has collaborated with librarians while exploring shared challenges shaping the future of libraries and digital scholarship. Her work has also focused on areas such as collaborative digital humanities, information literacy and artificial intelligence in libraries, with particular attention to how approaches developed at KU and other U.S. institutions might be adapted within African contexts.

“Dr. Ocloo brings a perspective that is essential to the conversations we want to be having,” said Brian Rosenblum, director of IGEL. “As librarians, we are part of a globally connected profession, and it is important that we engage with international perspectives and experiences in these key areas. We are excited and grateful she has chosen to spend part of her sabbatical at KU to share her expertise and further strengthen ties between our two institutions.” Click to read more