May 23, 1994

Contact: Jill Brett (202) 707-2905

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Hiram Logan Davis Appointed Deputy Librarian of Congress

Hiram Logan Davis, director of libraries at Michigan State University (MSU), has been appointed Deputy Librarian of Congress. He will assume his duties at the Library in July.

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington said, "We are delighted that he will be joining us as the Library moves toward the 21st century and the new age of digital information. Dr. Davis's demonstrated abilities as a strategic planner, a creative manager, and a leading library professional have impressed us all."

Dr. Davis will serve as the Library's second in command, reporting to Dr. Billington.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the world's premier library," said Dr. Davis. "The Library of Congress is a national treasure, and its programs and services will be of even greater importance to Congress and to America as we develop the digital library."

As the Library's chief operating officer, Dr. Davis will supervise the Library's day-to-day internal operations, and the Library's seven service unit heads will report to him. Dr. Davis will head the Library's Management Team, oversee the budget, and supervise the implementation of the Library's 1994-2000 strategic plan, whose priorities include both a new personnel system and advanced technology.

Dr. Davis has advanced rapidly during his 20 years in academic library administration, including experience in facilities construction and staff reorganizations. He has worked in libraries at the University of Kansas, Muskingum College (Ohio), Kalamazoo Valley Community College (Mich.), and the University of Oklahoma. He was head of the undergraduate college library at the University of California, at Los Angeles (1976- 79), dean of libraries at the University of the Pacific, Stockton, Calif. (1979-86), and dean of the university library at New Mexico State University (1987-89). He became director of libraries at Michigan State University, East Lansing, in 1989, supervising a staff of 300.

During the five years he has served as Michigan State University director of libraries, Dr. Davis has been a vigorous promoter of electronic access to information. Moreover, in 1992, the MSU libraries received an All University Excellence in Diversity Award for their role in promoting multicultural programs and collections.

Born April 10, 1943, in St. Joseph, Mo., Dr. Davis majored in economics at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, earning his bachelor of science degree in 1966. He earned his master of library science degree at Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia in 1969, and did graduate work in administration and library science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1970-72, getting his Ph.D. in 1984. While at the University of Michigan, he developed and directed a library science doctoral program for minorities, a project involving six Midwestern universities with library science doctoral programs.

Dr. Davis has been active in library professional circles for two decades. He is a member of the American Library Association, the Association of College and Research Libraries, the Library and Information Technology Association, and the ALA's Black Caucus. In 1992, he helped establish the Michigan Research Libraries Triangle Consortium. He was instrumental in establishing academic library consortium groups in New Mexico and California. He is currently a member of the Library of Michigan Board of Trustees, serving two terms as vice president; a member of Wayne State University's Library and Information Science Advisory Board; and past board member and president of the University of Michigan's School of Information and Library Studies Alumni Society.

Dr. Davis is married and has one son. His wife, Nancy, is a counselor at the MSU Counseling Center. His son, Michael, is a student at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Davis will be the first permanent deputy librarian appointed by Dr. Billington, who became Librarian of Congress in 1987. The senior-level federal government position pays $115,700. Holding the post on an acting basis have been Winston Tabb, now Associate Librarian for Collections Services, and Daniel Mulhollan, now director of the Congressional Research Service.

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PR 94-100
5/23/94
ISSN 0731-3527