UCO Librarian Elected President of Oklahoma Library Association
April 29, 2025
Shay Beezley, assistant director of metadata and cataloging at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Max Chambers Library, has been elected by the Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) to serve as its next president, beginning in July 2026.
“Shay has achieved a new height in her professional development. To receive this level of recognition from statewide peers is nothing but a great honor. This brings joy and satisfaction to all of us as it demonstrates that our work matters and makes a difference,” said Habib Tabatabai, executive director of the UCO Max Chambers Library.
“Shay’s achievement highlights the high caliber of Central’s workforce. I am very proud of her impactful dedication and certain that more success is awaiting her.”
Since beginning her career at Central in 2012, Beezley has embraced the university’s value for leadership. In addition to overseeing metadata and cataloging operations, she has advocated on behalf of her colleagues in Staff Senate and has nurtured connections between the UCO library and other institutions through shared institutional repositories, cooperative cataloging programs, leading conference programming for the Ex Libris-Users of North America and creating the award-winning Metadata Justice in Oklahoma Libraries and Archives Symposium. Programs such as Leadership UCO, OLA Gold Leadership Institute and an upcoming Mountain Plains Library Association Leadership Institute have allowed Beezley to continually hone her leadership skills for the betterment of the university and the library community.
In OLA’s more than century-long history, Beezley will be the fifth librarian from Central to serve as president.
Founded in 1907, OLA is an active community of more than 750 librarians and library workers across the state. The membership has endeavored to remain true to OLA’s mission, promoting and strengthening Oklahoma libraries. OLA has done this through advocacy to lawmakers, support for intellectual freedom, development of continuing education opportunities and much more. Beezley has been an active member of the association through service in various capacities, including chair of the University and College Division and leading several committees.
Learn more about the UCO Max Chambers Library at library.uco.edu.
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Cutline: Shay Beezley, assistant director of metadata and cataloging at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Max Chambers Library, has been elected by the Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) as its next president.
