Amber Butler Renewed as Carleton’s University Librarian
Carleton University Provost and Vice-President (Academic) L. Pauline Rankin has announced that Amber Butler’s appointment as University Librarian has been renewed for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2027, following a 12-month administrative leave beginning July 1, 2026. As recently announced, Edward Bilodeau will serve as Interim University Librarian during Amber’s administrative leave.
“Amber’s leadership in managing a complex portfolio, supporting large teams and guiding organizational change has been critical in enhancing library services and the user experience,” said Provost Rankin, who chaired the renewal advisory committee. “Thank you to the members of the renewal advisory committee for their dedication to this process and please join me in congratulating Amber on this well-deserved reappointment.”
In her first term as University Librarian, Amber was instrumental in overseeing the library during the pandemic, guiding organizational change, and leading several renovations and service enhancements to support student success, wellbeing, and belonging.
Prior to her initial appointment as University Librarian in 2020, Amber served as the Associate University Librarian (Academic Services) where she was responsible for a significant portfolio that included the Research Support Services, Access Services, and Archives and Research Collections departments.
Butler has a wide breadth of experience with managing large teams in an academic library setting. Prior to joining Carleton, she held various leadership roles at McGill University’s library. She served as the Head of Operations, and later as the Head Librarian, in the Humanities and Social Sciences branch before taking on the Acting Associate Dean of User Services role where she oversaw nine branches and led program development.
Butler holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s University, a Master of Library and Information Studies degree from Dalhousie University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of British Columbia.
“In my second term, my goal is to further strengthen the Carleton library’s role as a trusted steward of knowledge and a catalyst for learning,” said Butler. “To me, this means fostering environments where curiosity thrives, evidence informs decision-making, diverse voices are amplified, and our community is equipped to navigate an increasingly complex world with confidence, critical insight, and purpose.”