Hiram L. Davis will head a long-term effort to train and develop the Library's current work force for the next century.
The shorthand for this concept is the "internal university," which Dr. Davis started developing last year with Dr. Billington. Dr. Davis will relinquish his duties as Deputy Librarian to focus full-time on the program, assuming the title of senior advisor for staff development and staff transition in the Librarian's Office.
"I am excited to have the opportunity to develop and implement this important initiative at the Library and to find new ways to broaden the knowledge and skills of our staff with a systematic long-term approach. Dr. Billington and I are confident that we can count on the full support of the staff to make this new endeavor a solid success," Dr. Davis said.
Dr. Davis will seek staff suggestions for pilot projects, as a first step toward a Library-wide system of education.
In a special announcement January 3, Dr. Billington praised Dr. Davis's efforts to jumpstart the initiative. He indicated that the Library, facing both budget constraints and new technology, now primarily has to rely not on new hires for needed skills but on the full development of its existing work force through education, training, job experience, mentoring and other means.
"We can make real improvements that benefit everyone who works here," Dr. Davis said. "For me, it's a tremendous challenge and an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the Library's future."
Innovative training and education efforts have been under way, notably in the 30-person Affirmative Action intern program and tuition support programs. But a more systematic Library-wide match of future skills needs, existing talent and tailored training/education efforts is essential to LC's future. The Librarian mentioned this need for an "internal university" in his Nov. 29 testimony before the Joint Committee on the Library (see LC Information Bulletin, Dec. 11, 1995).
Excerpts from the Librarian's special announcement
I want to take this opportunity to share with you an initiative ... that has begun to grow during the past few months through Dr. Hiram L. Davis's personal efforts, and that together we have decided to launch as a long-term endeavor as we begin the new year.
Under this new initiative, which I have referred to at various times as an "internal university," we will be seeking to develop in new ways the greatest asset the Library has for realizing its mission and strategic priorities: the actual and potential skills of our own staff. ...
Dr. Davis brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this initiative. ... [He] served as director of libraries at Michigan State University, where he was a vigorous promoter of networking and electronic access to information. He did his graduate work in administration and library science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, earning his Ph.D. in 1984.
I intend to be actively involved as Dr. Davis moves ahead to develop this Library-wide system of internal education, and I hope you will all give him the benefit of your support, ideas, and involvement.
