Celebrating Gale Etschmaier’s legacy of innovation and service at Florida State University Libraries 

After more than 30 years in academic library leadership, Gale Etschmaier will retire in June as dean of University Libraries at Florida State University. Since arriving in 2018, she has helped shape the Libraries into vibrant, modern spaces that serve the entire FSU community.

Etschmaier brought experience from several universities but said FSU stood out for its connection to the community and its impact on students. She sees the library as “a center of intellectual community where students feel they belong.”

“The more I learned about Florida State University, the more I realized it is that kind of institution — it is absolutely anchored in the community,” she said. “It’s the kind of university that changes lives and improves the economics of the local region, the state and the country, and I am so happy that I came to Florida State. It has been such an incredible experience.”

Etschmaier expanded community service and impact at FSU by listening to students and faculty and leading innovations in service, technology and engagement. Her vision called for revitalizing physical spaces where she oversaw a makeover of the second floor of Strozier Library, which became a top space for students to study and collaborate. She also modernized the Libraries A/V technology with a new projector system, screens and cameras. She enhanced the Robert B. Bradley Reading Room for presentations and lectures.

“Our Libraries are incredibly important to the university, and Dean Etschmaier has done an exceptional job in transforming them into centers of innovation and community engagement. We are sad to see her retire, but we are immensely grateful for her contributions and congratulate her on her upcoming and well-deserved retirement.”

— FSU President Richard McCullough

“Our Libraries are incredibly important to the university, and Dean Etschmaier has done an exceptional job in transforming them into centers of innovation and community engagement,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “We are sad to see her retire, but we are immensely grateful for her contributions and congratulate her on her upcoming and well-deserved retirement.”

Etschmaier is recognized for her student-centered initiatives such as “Art in the Library,” which displays artwork by students and faculty, and pop-up concerts. These efforts enhance the library experience for visitors, elevate the visibility of the arts at FSU, and provide invaluable professional development opportunities for the student body.

She worked with faculty and librarians to cancel the Elsevier subscription package, saving FSU Libraries $1 million annually. This allowed resources to be redirected toward essential collections. Her advocacy resulted in the first budget increase for library collections in over 15 years.

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