DPLA Welcomes New Leaders and Salutes Departing Board Members
On July 1, 2017, the Digital Public Library of America will welcome two new board members, Brian Bannon of Chicago Public Library and Chris Bourg of MIT. In addition, we would like to thank two longstanding board members, Robert Darnton Professor of History and University Librarian, Emeritus at Harvard and Luis Herrera of the San Francisco Public Library, for their support and guidance over the years.
“Incoming Board Members Brian Bannon and Chris Bourg are poised to bring a fresh perspective and energy as DPLA moves into its next phase”, said Board Chair, Amy Ryan. “Brian has provided leadership in one of the most successful public libraries in the country, and his experience in running a complex and diverse organization with be valuable to the growth of DPLA. Chris’s commitment to open access and her role as a leader in a top tier university in the country will be a welcome addition to the Board”.
We wish to thank both Robert Darnton and Luis Herrera for their enthusiastic support and steadfast guidance as members of DPLA’s Board of Directors, and give a warm welcome to Brian Bannon and Chris Bourg.
Brian Bannon
Brian Bannon, Commissioner and CEO of Chicago Public Library, will begin his first term with the Board this July. Brian has already shown great enthusiasm for DPLA as host of DPLAfest 2017 and commitment to the Board as a member of the Executive Director Search Committee. We are excited to bring Brian’s experience to the Board given his extensive work in public libraries and some of the nation’s most influential grantmakers and funders.
Brian Bannon currently serves as Commissioner & CEO of the Chicago Public Library. Bannon was appointed to the position by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2012. Under Bannon’s leadership, CPL has been recognized as a top U.S. urban library and has won a number of awards and accolades, including the National Medal for Museum and Library Service and being named the best urban public library in the United States. Prior to his role at CPL, Brian held a variety of leadership positions with the San Francisco Public Library, Seattle Public Library, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Brian’s board service experience includes READ Global, Illinois Humanities, Forefront, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Global Libraries, and recently joined the board of the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. Brian has a BA from Pacific Lutheran University and a MLIS from the University of Washington and was named a 2017 Henry Crown Fellow by Aspen Institute.
Chris Bourg
Chris Bourg, Director of MIT Libraries, will also join the Board of Directors for her first term this summer. As a longtime advocate for open access, diversity, inclusion, and social justice in libraries, we look forward to the energy and perspective Chris will bring to the Board.
Chris Bourg was appointed Director of MIT Libraries in February 2015. In this role, Bourg provides guidance to the Press and Libraries in expanding engagement and advancing MIT’s commitment and influence in the area of scholarly communication and open access. Before joining MIT, Bourg served in a number of leadership positions with Stanford University Libraries, including Associate Librarian for Public Service and Assistant Director of Communications. Chris Bourg has written and given presentations on a wide variety of topics, including open access, diversity, leadership, and social justice in libraries. Bourg received her BA from Duke University, her MA from the University of Maryland, and her MA and PhD in sociology from Stanford University.
Robert Darnton
Robert Darnton has been involved with DPLA since the first planning meetings in 2010, and has been vital to its growth and development throughout its foundational years. Darnton’s enthusiasm and vision for the scope of a national digital library was inspiring as DPLA’s founders, partners, staff, and community forged ahead to create and expand DPLA. His tireless advocacy for maximizing public access to knowledge, from cultural heritage materials to ebooks, has made an enormous contribution to our organization.
Robert Darnton is Professor of History and University Librarian, Emeritus at Harvard.
Luis Herrera
Luis Herrera, City Librarian, San Francisco Public Library is another founding member of the DPLA Board of Directors, and was part of the original steering committee formed in 2011. As head of a major public library system, Herrera has been a strong advocate for how DPLA can augment the work of public libraries. During his time with the Board, Herrera has demonstrated dedication, thoughtfulness, and service to DPLA, as a member of the Board Finance and Governance committees as well as other events and initiatives throughout the years. Herrera’s perspective, experience, and guidance have been essential to the evolution and success of DPLA as a national platform.
Luis Herrera is the City Librarian, San Francisco Public Library, where he is responsible for the administration of the city’s 28 libraries including a main library and 27 neighborhood branches.