September 2014 Dinner Meeting

Speaker: Nancy Gwinn

“The Smithsonian Libraries undefined Its Treasures and Vision”

We are privileged to have as our September dinner speaker Nancy E. Gwinn, Director of the Smithsonian Libraries. The Smithsonian Libraries is the world’s largest museum library system. Consisting of 20 separate libraries whose collections range from African art to Zoology the Libraries support the wide-ranging efforts of Smithsonian researchers as well as the general public.

Dr. Gwinn has directed the Libraries since 1997 and is the longest-serving Director in the Libraries’ history. A former Fulbright scholar at Oxford, she holds a Ph.D. in American Civilization from George Washington University, an A.M.L.S. in Library Science from Michigan and a B.A. from the University of Wyoming. During her tenure as director she has guided the Libraries’ participation in the revolutionary transformation of the diffusion of knowledge through digitalization and the internet. The Libraries’ initiatives have included the Biodiversity Heritage Library, a major digital project now including the Chicago Botanic Garden, Field Museum and University of Illinois. Dr. Gwinn’s other achievements include the Libraries' new “Galaxy of Knowledge” website and expanding the Libraries’ rare book and electronic collections.

Dr. Gwinn is also a significant participant in the globalization of knowledge, serving on the governing board of the International Federation of Library Associations and representing the IFLA to the international Libraries, Archives, Museums, Monuments and Sites committee. Since 2008 she has been a member of the council overseeing RLG Programs, a global partnership of research libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions.

This evening will provide Caxtonians a valued opportunity to meet and hear from one of the world’s leaders in the preservation and distribution of books and knowledge.