Sara Lowman assumed the post of Vice Provost and University Librarian at Rice University in 2007. Lowman has worked at the Fondren Library for over 30 years in a variety of positions, including as the Director of Fondren Library, Associate University Librarian, and Assistant
University Librarian for Public Services. Originally from Marshalltown, Iowa, she is a graduate of Carleton College with a degree in biology and Russian Studies, and the University of Iowa with a master’s degree in library and information science. Her background includes service
planning and assessment, collection development and management, facilities planning and design, and organizational development.
She is interested in the future of libraries, scholarly communications issues, and how best the library can support research, teaching and learning for all members of the Rice Community. She has served on the boards of the Greater Western Library Alliance, the Western Regional
Storage Trust, Amigos Library Resources Consortium, and on many Association of Research Libraries and American Library Association task forces and committees. She currently serves as the Chair of the Texas Library Coalition for United Action.
