[Nfbmo] Big news for Dr. Richard Smith and Wolfner Library

[via Nfbmo]

Hi all,
    Change is inevitable.  We were lucky to have Dr.  Smith as long as we 
did.  His efforts put Wolfner solidly in front of the  NLS digital 
transition, among other achievements.   We can take solace  in knowing that he will be 
overseeing NLS Library for the Blind network  division, but he will be hard 
to replace.
Congratulations, Richard!   We're going to miss you.
 
Dan Flasar
 
Chairman, Wolfner Adbisory Board
NFB representatibe to the Wolfner Advisory Board
Lewis & Clark Chapter, NFB of Missouri
 
 
 
  
____________________________________
 From: Richard.Smith at sos.mo.gov
To: chiphailey at cableone.net,  danflasar at aol.com, darrel at ww4b.org, 
dnoriega at silcolumbia.org,  mdingus at msb.k12.mo.us, cookm5690 at yahoo.com, 
zeze.o.miller at dss.mo.gov
CC:  jeremiah54 at earthlink.net, aschell at gmail.com, faith53 at sbcglobal.net,  
jmorgan55 at centurylink.net, basil05 at sbcglobal.net, Richard.Smith at sos.mo.gov,  
sagrauel at swbell.net, WilliamsR13 at Embarqmail.com,  castlescook at gmail.com
Sent: 5/14/2014 10:03:43 A.M. Central Daylight  Time
Subj: Chief, Network Division for the National Library Service for the  
Blind and Physically Handicapped



Dear  Colleagues, 
It  has been an honor and a privilege to serve as director of Wolfner 
Talking Book  and Braille Library for almost fourteen years. At this time, 
however, I wish  to announce that I will be retiring effective July 1, 2014. In 
addition, I  have been offered a position as Chief, Network Division for the 
National  Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Therefore 
I have  submitted my letter of resignation, effective June 30, 2014. My 
last day in  the office will be Friday June 6th. 
Although  this position is outside of Missouri, it directly impacts the 
people we all  serve. I am certain that I will continue productive working 
relationships with  Missourians, and each of you, in order to provide the best 
library services  for all Wolfner readers.  Thank you for all of your help 
and support  during my tenure as Director of Wolfner Library. I leave knowing 
that I can  count on you all to continue your support of a truly wonderful  
library. 
Here is the  official announcement: 
DATE           :     May 13, 2014 
TO                 :     Network Libraries 
FROM          :     Karen Keninger, Director,  NLS 
SUBJECT    :     New Network Division chief  appointed 
Richard Smith has  been selected as the new chief of the Network Division 
at NLS and will begin  his duties on June 16, 2014. Richard has twenty years 
of experience in the NLS  network, including six years as director of the 
Louisiana for the Blind and  Physically Handicapped and fourteen years as 
director of the Wolfner Library  Talking Books and Braille Library in Missouri. 
He also has served as Midlands  chair and as a member of the NLS 
digital-transition committee.    
Richard holds both  an MLS and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, 
School of Library and  Information Science, and has several years of 
experience teaching library  science with an emphasis on automation and technology.  
For more  information contact: 
Karen  Keninger 
Director,  NLS 
_kken at loc.gov_ (mailto:kken at loc.gov)  
Sincerely, 
Richard 
Richard J. Smith,  Director 
Wolfner Talking  Book and Braille Library 
Jefferson City, MO  65101 
573-522-2767 
_richard.smith at sos.mo.gov_ (mailto:richard.smith at sos.mo.gov)