Contact: Ian Smalley
Communications and Society Program
The Aspen Institute
202-736-5818 | ian.smalley@aspeninstitute.org
Susan Hildreth Named Aspen Institute Communications and Society Fellow
National Library Leader to Counsel Dialogue on Public Libraries
Washington, DC, March 26, 2015 – The Aspen Institute has appointed Susan Hildreth a Communications and Society Program Fellow, effective March 1, 2015. In her role as Fellow, Hildreth will provide counsel on issues related to public libraries and will represent the Institute’s Dialogue on Public Libraries as a speaker at outside events. She also will help to connect the work of the Dialogue to key initiative and stakeholder groups in the public and private sectors.
Learn more about the Dialogue on Public Libraries at http://as.pn/libraries.
“We are honored to have Susan Hildreth add her considerable expertise to the important work of the Dialogue on Public Libraries,” says Charlie Firestone, executive director of Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program. “Her knowledge of the national library landscape will help to ensure that we can ignite an essential, ongoing conversation about the pivotal and integrated role public libraries fulfill in communities.”
Before joining the Aspen Institute, Hildreth was the director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency that provides support for the nation’s museums and libraries. President Obama appointed Hildreth to the fixed-term position, and the Senate unanimously confirmed the appointment. She currently is the Executive Director of the Peninsula Library System, the Pacific Library Partnership, and the Califa Group.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to continue the thoughtful discussion that has been generated by the Institute’s Dialogue on Public Libraries report,” says Hildreth. “The Dialogue presents an engaging framework to spur critical conversations about a successful future for the 21st century public library.”
Hildreth’s prior experience includes serving as the City Librarian with The Seattle Public Library; State Librarian with the California State Library, and City Librarian with the San Francisco Public Library.
She has held leadership positions with many professional and community organizations. She holds a Master’s of Business Administration from Rutgers University, a Master’s in Library Science from State University of New York, and a Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University.
About the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program
The Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program, www.aspeninstitute.org/c&s, addresses the societal impact of communications and information technologies, and provides a multidisciplinary venue for considered judgment on communications policy issues.
About the Aspen Institute