Caltech Library News

Welcoming Our New University Librarian, Adriana Popescu

We are thrilled to welcome Adriana Popescu as our next University Librarian! Adriana was previously Dean of Library Services at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, and has held leadership positions at the University of Notre Dame and Princeton University, where she was Head of the Engineering Library and the Furth Plasma Physics Library. At Cal Poly, Adriana recently led a $78M major physical and programmatic transformation of the Library, including library spaces and services, collections, and information technology. 

Looking forward, in a period that promises to be both exciting and challenging, the Library staff are excited to work with Adriana on continuing our strong traditions of innovative, trustworthy and supportive services for students, development of new services and tools for researchers, and the ongoing renewal of our spaces. We're thankful to Adriana for taking some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions in anticipation of her arrival at Caltech on July 1.

What are you looking forward to about living in Los Angeles and working at Caltech?

I’m truly excited about joining the Los Angeles community—a place known for its energy, cultural vibrancy, and global diversity. I’m especially drawn to communities that celebrate different worldviews and lived experiences and LA offers that in abundance.

At Caltech, I’m looking forward to being part of a campus that thrives on curiosity, rigor, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With my own background in engineering, I have deep respect for how Caltech approaches problem-solving and discovery. I see the library as a natural hub for that kind of exploration—where people from different fields come together to ask new questions and engage deeply with ideas. Being able to support and enrich that process is a real honor.

Could you give us an introduction as to what a University Librarian does?

At its heart, the role of a University Librarian is to ensure the library is both a sanctuary and a springboard for intellectual discovery. We steward physical and digital collections, create welcoming and inclusive spaces, and design services that help scholars and students navigate complex information landscapes.

But beyond that, the University Librarian plays a key role in ensuring the library cultivates curiosity. We help the Caltech community connect ideas across disciplines, whether it’s through data management support for a physicist, open-access publishing for a social scientist, or collaborative spaces for student innovation. I see the University Librarian as a bridge-builder—someone who connects people, tools, and ideas to advance knowledge and discovery in meaningful, lasting ways.

And finally, the University Librarian plays a significant role in building, developing, and strengthening a unique team of librarians and staff that is instrumental in supporting the Caltech community.

What inspired you to apply to this position?

What drew me most to this position is Caltech’s spirit of curiosity and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, the spirit of pursuing what may seem like the impossible and never giving up. I’ve always believed that libraries are more than repositories—they are engines of discovery, spaces where diverse minds and disciplines intersect to create something new.

As someone with an engineering background, I appreciate the drive to finding solutions; sometimes those solutions require crossing over disciplinary boundaries and Caltech is the epitome of interdisciplinary pursuits. As someone shaped by many cultures and perspectives, I know that the most powerful ideas often emerge from unexpected intersections. Caltech embodies that intersectional creativity, and the opportunity to contribute to it felt both exciting and deeply aligned with my values.

What are some of the positions you've previously held that prepared you to succeed in this role?

My career has taken me through some incredible institutions, each shaping my understanding of what academic libraries can be. In Canada, I managed a specialized library serving the marine dynamics and ocean technology national research institute in St. John’s, Newfoundland. At Princeton, I oversaw the library supporting the DOE-funded Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, I served as Mathematics and Physics librarian, and I led the services and operations of the Engineering Library. Over my 13 years at Princeton, I worked closely with world-class scholars and learned the importance of deeply tailored, research-focused services. At Notre Dame’s Hesburgh Libraries, I led collaborative initiatives that emphasized both innovation and mission-driven work.

And at Cal Poly, I had the privilege of serving as dean of library services for a decade. There, I led strategic transformations—reimagining library spaces, launching digital scholarship programs, and elevating the library’s role in student success. That experience taught me how to lead with empathy, build inclusive teams, and adapt with intention—all of which I bring with me to Caltech.

What are you looking forward to in your first few months working at the Library?

I’m looking forward to listening. Every campus has its own rhythm and culture, and my first priority is to learn from the Caltech community—students, faculty, staff—about what matters most to them and how the library can be an even more integral part of their academic journey.

I’m also excited to begin identifying opportunities to support interdisciplinary exploration—whether that’s through new partnerships, expanded digital services, or thoughtful space design. Libraries are uniquely positioned to foster curiosity without boundaries, and I want to ensure the Caltech Library continues to be a place where all questions are welcome and all perspectives are valued.

We're looking forward to working with Adriana soon!