A career librarian and administrator, Susan H. Hildreth was nominated to be director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) by President Barack Obama in September 2010. Confirmed by the Senate on December 22, she assumed the position on January 19, 2011. The Institute oversees federal financial support for libraries and museums around the country.

 

Hildreth has three college degrees: a Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse in 1972 and a master’s degree in library science from State University of New York at Albany in 1973. She also earned and an MBA from Rutgers University,

 

She began her career as a branch librarian at the Edison Township Library in New Jersey. This was followed by four years as library director for the Benicia Public Library in Benicia, California, several years as head librarian for Placer County, California, and five years as deputy library director at the Sacramento Public Library.

 

Hildreth later served as deputy director and then city librarian at the San Francisco Public Library. In July 2004, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed her as California’s state librarian. She served from August 2, 2004, until February 13, 2009. She was then chosen to head the library system of Seattle, a position she held until took over as director of the IMLS.

 

Hildreth has been active in the American Library Association and served as president of the Public Library Association in 2006.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky