Biography

Julie Tanaka is the Associate Dean for Distinctive Collections, University of Washington Libraries and an affiliate of the UW Textual Studies Program and the iSchool Center for Advances in Libraries, Museums, and Archives (CALMA). She also serves as Vice-Chair and Chair-Elect for the Rare Book and Manuscript Section (RBMS) and Chair of the RBMS Diversity Committee.

Julie began her career as History faculty teaching undergraduate courses in late medieval European and Byzantine History and Latin. As an academic librarian, she specialized in reference and instruction as History librarian and Special Collections curator. Prior to returning to UW, she held librarian, curatorial, and administrative positions at the University of Notre Dame, Arizona State University, and Occidental College. In these roles, her priorities have focused on student success, accessibility, user services, outreach, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition to special collections and archives, she has experience in instruction, collection development, and exhibitions.