March 12, 2003

Media only: Gwen Leighty (202)786-2875
Public only: (202)357-2700

Smithsonian Libraries Reorganizes Top Level and Creates New Media Office

The Smithsonian Institution Libraries has reorganized its executive staff and created a new structure to support digital initiatives. The move was sparked by SIL's changing role within the Smithsonian Institution. "We continue to provide information and resources to meet the needs of curators and researchers through traditional collections and fast-changing technology," said Nancy E. Gwinn, Smithsonian Libraries Director, "but in line with the Institution's leadership, we have expanded our public outreach activities through our exhibitions, publications, and web site, 'Galaxy of Knowledge.'"

Mary Augusta Thomas was promoted to the new position of Associate Director for Reader Services and Strategic Planning. She is responsible for management of the 20 branch libraries that provide services to Smithsonian staff and visitors and for guiding system-wide planning efforts. Ms. Thomas joined the Smithsonian staff in 1976 and moved through increasingly responsible positions, becoming an assistant director in 1991. She is a cum laude graduate of Mount Holyoke College, holds a masters degree from the Catholic University of America, served as President of the District of Columbia Library Association (DCLA) in 1999 and is currently a member of the American Library Association Council. Her publications include Information Imagineering: Meeting at the Interface (1998) and An Odyssey in Print: Adventures in Smithsonian Libraries (2002).

Sherry Kelley was promoted to Assistant Director for Technical Services and Administration. Formerly Head, Cataloging Services Department, in this position she will continue to oversee cataloging practice and add to her portfolio management of acquisitions, preservation and other administrative services, such as human resources, contracts and procurement, statistics, and accounting. A graduate of Indiana and Syracuse Universities, Ms. Kelley is a nationally known expert in the field of cataloging and metadata standards.

The growth of the Libraries' website and digital production is recognized in the new title for Thomas Garnett, who is now Assistant Director for Digital Library and Information Systems. Mr. Garnett graduated from University of Colorado, Boulder with a BA and his MLS is from Catholic University. In 1995 he graduated from the year-long Council for Excellence in Government program for top executives. He has been with the Smithsonian Libraries since 1983.

Martin Kalfatovic has been tapped as the first head of a New Media Office to oversee the production and maintenance of Galaxy of Knowledge, the Libraries' web site, and to produce online exhibitions, digital editions of rare and out-of-print books, and other digital content. The office includes an inhouse Imaging Center. A member of the Libraries staff since 1993, Mr. Kalfatovic also serves on the adjunct faculty at The Catholic University of America's School of Library and Information Science. His 2002 book Creating a Winning Online Exhibition : A Guide for Libraries, Archives, And Museums, published by the American Library Association, has become a basic text in this fast-growing field. Mr. Kalfatovic holds two degrees from The Catholic University of America.

The Smithsonian Libraries is a 20-branch system offering reference services, interlibrary loan and access to the Libraries' online catalog at www.sil.si.edu. Branches are located in Washington, D.C., Maryland, New York and the Republic of Panama. The library catalog is online at www.siris.si.edu. The Smithsonian Institution Libraries collections include 1.5 million volumes, including 15,000 journal titles, nearly 600 electronic journal titles, 40,000 rare books, 2,000 manuscript groups and 180,000 pieces of microfiche. The Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Chesapeake Information and Research Library Alliance, and the Federal Library and Information Center Committee.

Visit the Libraries' Web site for additional information on the Libraries' collections and services, or inquire via e-mail: libmail@si.edu.

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