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Dr. Robert Martin
returns to TWU following IMLS service
7/12/05
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DENTON — Dr.
Robert S. Martin, former director of the national Institute
of Museum and Library Services, has been appointed to the
Lillian Bradshaw Endowed Chair in Library Science at Texas
Woman’s University.
Dr. Martin, who
served as professor and interim director of TWU’s School
of Library and Information Studies prior to his federal post,
will return to the Denton campus Sept. 1. His term with the
IMLS ended July 12.
“I look forward
to returning to Texas Woman’s University and to rejoining
my colleagues in the School of Library and Information Studies,”
Dr. Martin said. “I’m also deeply honored to accept
the position of Lillian Bradshaw Endowed Chair.
“As director
of the Institute, my focus was on providing support for the
important educational resources and services museums and libraries
provide,” Dr. Martin said. “One of the most important
resources a library has is knowledgeable professionals who
can meet the needs of a variety of patrons. The TWU School
of Library and Information Studies does a tremendous job of
preparing professionals who can thrive in an ever-changing
environment, and I look forward to again being a part of that.”
TWU Chancellor
and President Dr. Ann Stuart said, “It is a pleasure
to welcome Dr. Martin back to Texas Woman’s University,
and to honor him with an endowed chair. He represented the
Institute of Museum and Library Services with distinction
during his tenure as director, and will continue his support
for creating lifelong learners by helping the TWU School of
Library and Information Studies prepare tomorrow’s leaders
in the information professions.”
President George
W. Bush in June 2001 nominated Dr. Martin as the first librarian
to serve as director of the IMLS, a federal grant-making agency
dedicated to helping the nation’s 15,000 museums and
122,000 libraries serve their communities. The U.S. Senate
unanimously confirmed his nomination.
During his tenure,
the institute awarded 4,318 grants totaling more than $861
million. These federal grants provided funding to libraries
and museums for educational programs, community outreach,
leadership development, and care and digitization of collections.
Under Dr. Martin’s
leadership, the IMLS took on a principal role in representing
the United States in international discussions of libraries
and museums. He assisted in drafting the ministerial statement
for the first-ever U.N. World Summit on the Information Society
in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2003. In 2004, Dr. Martin headed
the U.S. delegation to the organization of American States
Intergovernmental Meeting of Ministers of Culture in Mexico
City. Later that year, he served as co-head of the U.S. delegation
to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Meeting on Cultural Diversity
in Paris.
Prior to his work
at TWU, Dr. Martin served as director and librarian of the
Texas State Library and Archives Commission. He has authored
and co-authored several scholarly publications, including
two best-selling books that reflect his interest and expertise
in the history of the American Southwest. He has held elected
and appointed roles in professional library and archives organizations.
Among his many awards is the Justin Winsor Prize for best
library history essay from the American Library Association.
The Lillian Bradshaw
Endowed Chair in Library Science is named in honor of Mrs.
Lillian Bradshaw, director of the Dallas Public Library from
1962-1984.
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For Further
Information Contact:
Karen Garcia
Senior Copywriter
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: ktreat@twu.edu |
