Hildreth To Be Nominated as IMLS Director
By David Rapp Sep 30, 2010The White House yesterday announced that President Obama intends to nominate Susan Hildreth, currently the city librarian for the Seattle Public Library, as director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Hildreth has been Seattle's city librarian since early 2009; the library is currently facing proposed budget cuts. She previously served as California state librarian, succeeding Kevin Starr, who retired in 2004. Before that position, she brought stability to the the San Francisco Public Library during her tenure as city librarian from 2001 to 2004. In 2006, she served as president of the Public Library Association.
The confirmation process in the U.S. Senate could take several months. The previous IMLS director, Anne-Imelda Radice, was nominated by President George W. Bush in December 2005 and confirmed three months later.
The IMLS has alternated leaders from the library and museum worlds. Radice, a museum professional, was preceded by library academic Robert Martin.
Radice left as IMLS's director in March 2010; since then, Marsha Semmel, the IMLS's deputy director for museums and director for strategic partnerships, has served as acting director.
