An Inside Perspective

David S. Ferriero, 10th archivist of the United States, will talk about the mission of the National Archives and the creation of the George W. Bush Presidential Library at SMU on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mack Ballroom of the Umphrey Lee Center.

Ferriero's presentation, which is free and open to the public, is co-sponsored by the Friends of the SMU Library, Bridwell Library, DeGolyer Library and the Book Club of Texas. It will be preceeded by a reception in Umphrey Lee at 6 p.m.

The National Archives is the U.S. Government’s collection of documents that records important events in American history. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the Government agency that preserves and maintains these materials and makes them available for research.

Ferriero was confirmed as 10th Archivist of the United States in 2009.

Previously, Ferriero served as the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries (NYPL). He was part of the leadership team responsible for integrating the four research libraries and 87 branch libraries into one seamless service for users, creating the largest public library system in the United States and one of the largest research libraries in the world. Ferriero was in charge of collection strategy; conservation; digital experience; reference and research services; and education, programming, and exhibitions.

Among his responsibilities at the NYPL was the development of the library’s digital strategy, which currently encompasses partnerships with Google and Microsoft, a web site that reaches more than 25 million unique users annually and a digital library of more than 750,000 images that may be accessed free of charge by any user around the world.

Before joining the NYPL in 2004, Mr. Ferriero served in top positions at two of the nation’s major academic libraries — the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Duke University. In those positions, he led major initiatives, including expansion of facilities, adoption of digital technologies and a reengineering of printing and publications.

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