I just wanted to pass along this news about John Cole from our NCL member Center for the Book at the Library of Congress… I know a lot of you have worked with John, especially after the Library of Congress Literacy Awards were established a few years ago. Those of you who know John likely are likely familiar with his knowledge of and passion for the history of the LOC. Can’t imagine a better person to serve as the new official historian of the Library of Congress, although it is impossible to imagine the Center for the Book without him. (In fact this is literally true, since he has been there since the beginning.) Best wishes to him as he embarks on this new role. Meanwhile, looking forward to meeting and working with the Center’s new director, Pam Jackson. Jeff > Begin forwarded message: > > From: "Boni, Anne" <aboni@loc.gov> > Subject: John Cole Named LOC Historian > Date: April 19, 2016 at 1:17:59 PM EDT > To: "Boni, Anne" <aboni@loc.gov> > > > Dear Friends and Colleagues, > > > As you may know, I have been serving as the unofficial historian of the Library of Congress for most of my career, while serving in my official role as director of the Center for the Book. Over its nearly 40 years, the center has grown into a Library division with national and international influence. > > Thus, with somewhat mixed feelings, I have accepted the Library’s offer to inaugurate a new position, that of the official historian of the Library of Congress. In this new role, I will represent and promote the historical importance of the Library in American and world culture, an institutional function that I feel is long overdue. The educational outreach programs developed by the Center for the Book since 1977 have been a step in this direction, but the creation of a separate history office gives the historical role of the Library a new and permanent dimension. (See attached official announcement.) > The staff of the Center for the Book has grown slowly through the years, with new functions added in more recent times: the Young Readers Center (YRC) in 2009; the Library of Congress Literacy Awards, developed in 2012 and commenced in 2013; and the Poetry and Literature Center (PLC), transferred to the Center for the Book in 2013. > > The current staff is committed to the Center’s mission of stimulating public interest in books, reading, literacy and libraries. I am immensely proud of their dedication, hard work and enormous productivity. In addition to maintaining two national outreach networks -- the affiliated centers for the book and the nonprofit reading and literacy promotion partners -- the Center for the Book has played, and still plays, a major role in the development and administration of the National Book Festival. Through its Books & Beyond noontime author series, the PLC’s extensive poetry and literature programs (including the activities of the Poet Laureate) and the growing events schedule of the YRC, the Center for the Book provides a substantial portion of the Library’s public programming. > > Between now and June 12, I look forward to working with this strong staff and the Center’s new director, Pam Jackson, in taking a fresh look at the Center for the Book’s activities, sharing information and ideas about all aspects of the Center’s work during this time of transition. Pam’s leadership experience within the Library and in education-related fields outside the Library complements the hands-on experience of Center for the Book staff members. And, as the Center heads for its 40th anniversary in 2017, I am delighted that this outstanding program is in such capable hands, and that I will be here to record the event as official historian. > > Please be assured that the Center for the Book Reading and Literacy Promotion Partners network is in capable hands and that the network will continue to flourish. Thank you for your many years of dedication to making our partnership program a strong and lasting bond between the Library of Congress and the nonprofit private sector. I am certain you will do all you can to make this transition a seamless one. > > Sincerely, John > > John Y. Cole, > Director, Center for the Book > Chair, Library of Congress Literacy Awards