Shaping the Intersection: making space for interdisciplinary engagement
As libraries evolve, they are increasingly taking on broader roles beyond their traditional boundaries. In this regard, I’ve always been fascinated with the concept of library deans who not only lead libraries but also become integral players in campus affairs. Some manage university presses, museums, or galleries. Others take on roles in IT, teaching and learning centers, or even areas including assessment, effectiveness, or strategy. However, Carnegie Mellon pushes that envelope further, providing a unique and compelling case study of how library leadership can intersect with across multiple domains.
I sat down with Keith Webster, the Helen and Henry Posner, Jr. Dean of University Libraries & Director of Emerging and Integrative Media Initiatives at CMU— and my boss. His role stretches well beyond the scope of a traditional library dean.
Here’s a snapshot of his portfolio:
University Libraries
IDeATe (Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology)
ETC (Entertainment Technology Center)
CMU University Press
CMU Sustainability Initiative
Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation
The Role of a Library in Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The way Keith talks about it -- he oversees several academic parts of the university that need to avoid being confined to a specific discipline. For example, if you place a sustainability initiative within the business school, engineering college, or architecture department, each would likely narrow its focus based on their particular expertise. By instead situating the effort within the portfolio led by the Dean of University Libraries, there is more openness and agnosticism—a discipline-neutral perspective. Essentially, by not being tied to any specific domain, the library becomes inviting and open to all. Our provost refers to this as “the library being Switzerland” — welcoming and supportive to everyone on campus.
This has been Keith's guiding philosophy, and it’s worked. He has slowly and strategically assembled a college-like entity that we call UEIS:
University Libraries | ETC | IDeATe | Sustainability
To put this into context: by convening around themes such as sustainability, the library can become a "front porch" for CMU, providing a central point for students, faculty, and external audiences to engage across several themes and initiatives. For example, the University’s annual Voluntary University Review of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals is presented by Keith.
Sustainability Today & Tomorrow
As I noted, sustainability is a critical theme at CMU. And Keith has regularly emphasized that this was a topic that resonated with him—one where he felt he could bring positive action and leadership. There are two components:
Keith describes the Sustainability Initiative as an interdisciplinary convening space. It’s both a physical space and a thematic one that connects the university across education, research, and operations. It serves as a storefront for those interested in getting involved, whether that means finding classes or connecting with researchers, attending talks and programs, or discovering ways to volunteer.
Meanwhile, he’s working with a team to establish a center focused on the area of Sustainable Futures. This effort aims to be a policy-focused think tank, exploring how we might plan and account for the future of sustainability. Beyond the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in 2030, what’s next in the decades to come? This enterprise aspires to stretch our imagination further, focusing not only on climate action but increasingly on human rights and exploring how AI and data can advance these causes. Keith’s background with strategic foresight is helping to strengthen this initiative.
Bridging Disciplines: IDeATe and ETC as Credit-bearing Collaborative Hubs
The IDeATe program exemplifies how interdisciplinary problem-solving can be supported. As a credit-awarding academic program at CMU, IDeATe enables students to explore the intersections of design, arts, and technology by pursuing minors that complement their major field of study. This hands-on approach allows students to develop critical skills across multiple disciplines, preparing them to address complex, real-world challenges that no single discipline can fully solve on its own.
IDeATe offers undergraduate minors in Game Design, Animation & Special Effects, Design for Learning, Media Design, Sonic Arts, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Intelligent Environments, Physical Computing, Soft Technologies, and Immersive Technologies in Arts & Culture. All of these minors are open to students from every major. The courses in the IDeATe curriculum are also open to students from every major and we do not require participation in a minor to take the courses.
Similarly, the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) focuses on collaboration within creative technology projects. This Master’s degree program trains students not only to sharpen their technical skills but also to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams, delivering results for clients while navigating the intersections of diverse fields. Keith emphasized that ETC prepares students to be agile and adaptable, ready to work across multiple domains in today’s evolving creative-technical landscape. He also noted that improvisation, a course and skill many students unexpectedly came to enjoy, plays a key role in their professional development.
Reimagining the Library & Leadership
In our conversation, Keith mentioned that when he arrived at CMU more than 10 years ago, the library was seen primarily as a place to study. His goal was to reimagine the physical and philosophical idea of the library as an environment where faculty and students come to collaborate, innovate, and engage.
The renovated Sorrells Library at Carnegie Mellon University
Keith and I have talked a lot about leadership over the years, and I wanted to explore his view on the role of the library dean. In his capacity, it’s much broader than managing collections, services, or buildings. It’s about being a university leader who happens to be based in the library. A large part of his role involves social engagement—attending events, chairing campus committees, building relationships, and earning the trust of colleagues. This campus-wide visibility allows him to advance the goals and the impact of his units, while simultaneously supporting others, creating a mutually beneficial dynamic that strengthens the broader institution. Win-win.
Administrators look for deans who are agile and socially connected. This often means stepping outside the library’s domain and taking on broader roles, whether it’s advocating for sustainability initiatives, working on accreditation, or engaging in discussions on academic freedom. In this way, Keith demonstrates how library leadership can extend into diverse areas and serve as an implementer for far-reaching initiatives by strengthening his network and influence.
Shaping the Intersection
At the heart of interdisciplinary engagement is the ability to create space—both physical and intellectual—where disciplines can intersect, collaborate, and thrive. Libraries are uniquely positioned to take on this role, serving as hubs for cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation. CMU has embraced this role, with the dean’s portfolio encompassing established components including the libraries, a university press, and a documentation center -- but also more novel aspects such as academic degree awarding programs, a sustainability engagement center, and the early stages of a policy think tank. By extending into these new domains, the library becomes an expanded player in shaping the university—and its research and education and enabling the convergence of diverse fields in pragmatic ways.
A Global Perspective
I've been absorbing insights from various leaders as I work to enhance my presence and mission. Keith stands out as a mentor, primarily because his perspective and career journey are unlike any I've encountered. CMU is his fourth deanship at a major research university, and he's held these positions in four different countries across three global regions. Additionally, he's served in executive roles in all three sectors of the triple helix of innovation—academia, government, and industry.
Our conversations are always multifaceted, drawing from a range of frameworks, models, and strategies that span industries, mindsets, and international contexts. I believe that this diverse experience not only informs Keith’s leadership but also his approach to shaping an organization that seamlessly integrates into CMU’s unique ecosystem. In short, Keith’s not confined to or defined by the library—he's expanding boundaries and serving as a catalyst for change – building a dynamically complex hub for interdisciplinary innovation and engagement. Through his global perspective, Keith illustrates how libraries can transcend, becoming powerful platforms that drive and enhance institutional impact — and professional change.
