American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) has named Professor Melanie Oberlin Knapp as the new director of the Pence Law Library, following a national search.

Officially joining the AUWCL community on July 1, Knapp brings more than 15 years of experience in academic law librarianship, legal research instruction, technology leadership, and faculty support. She currently serves as associate dean for Library & Technology at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, where she has directed library and technology services, worked closely with faculty and administrators on academic and institutional priorities, and helped guide the library through the ABA reaccreditation and site visit process. Her experience includes strategic planning, instructional leadership, and advancing research and student support services within legal education.

“Melanie brings a thoughtful, collaborative leadership style and a deep understanding of the evolving role of academic law libraries in legal education,” said Interim Dean Heather Hughes. “Her experience supporting faculty scholarship, student learning, legal research, and innovation will be an outstanding asset to the Pence Law Library and the entire AUWCL community.”

Before joining George Mason University, Knapp held positions at The Ohio State University Moritz Law Library and the University of Texas Tarlton Law Library, where she taught legal research courses, supported faculty scholarship, and provided research services to students and faculty. Her professional background also includes legal practice in environmental and administrative law.

Knapp has remained actively engaged in the broader law library and legal education communities throughout her career. She currently serves on the executive committee of the Association of American Law Schools Section on Libraries & Legal Information and as secretary of the Society of Academic Law Library Directors. She has also published extensively on legal scholarship, academic law librarianship, legal research, and technology.

In her letter to the search committee, Knapp emphasized her commitment to creating a positive and collaborative work environment while supporting the research and learning needs of students and faculty. She also highlighted her engagement with emerging issues in legal education, including generative artificial intelligence, the NextGen Bar Exam, and changes in legal publishing and technology.

Knapp succeeds Adeen Postar, who is retiring after a distinguished career in law librarianship and legal education. Under Postar’s leadership, the Pence Law Library continued to strengthen its role as a vital academic resource supporting students, faculty scholarship, and the broader legal community. AUWCL extends its sincere gratitude to Postar for her years of service and lasting contributions to the law school.