February 6, 2004

WASHINGTON – President George W. Bush appointed twelve individuals, including Carol L. Diehl of Wisconsin to the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) on January 28, 2004. With these appointments, the Commission is at full strength for the first time since 1998.

Diehl is a former member of the following: Director of Library Media Services with the School District of New London, treasurer of the Sturm Memorial Library, Manawa, Board of Education member for the School District of Manawa, instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Oahkosh. She was also an elected Councilor-at-Large of the American Library Association and past president of the school division of the Wisconsin Library Association. Diehl currently resides in Neenah, WI and in Naples, FL during the winter.

NCLIS is a permanent, independent agency of the Federal government, established by Congress in 1970, whose sixteen part- time members provide advice to the President, Congress, and other policy makers regarding library and information services for the American people.

By law, five Commissioners are librarians or information specialists, while nine members are drawn from the public and are knowledgeable about the needs of society for library and information services. One of the public members has a special competence in the needs of the elderly; another in information technology. Filling out the membership are two ex officio Commissioners, the Librarian of Congress and the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

The President submitted his nominations to the Senate on October 2, 2003, and the Senate, by unanimous consent, confirmed the nominations on January 26, 2004.

In addition to Carol L. Diehl, the following individuals were also appointed to NCLIS. Their terms end July 19th of the year indicated. Also indicated is their category of membership.

Jose Antonio Aponte of Colorado, executive director, Pikes Peak Library District, Colorado Springs (2007; Librarian/information specialist)

Sandra Frances Ashworth of Idaho, Director, Boundary County District Library, Bonners Ferry, ID (2004; Public-needs of elderly).

Edward Louis Bertorelli of Massachusetts, director of employee benefits, MassHighway department and also a member of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. (2005; Public)

Allison Druin of Maryland, assistant professor, College of Information Studies, University of Maryland (UM), College Park (2006; Librarian/information specialist)

Beth Fitzsimmons of Michigan, president, Information Strategists, Ann Arbor, MI. and former chair of the Depository Library Council to the U.S. Public Printer. (2006; Librarian/information specialist). Upon appointment, the President named Dr. Fitzsimmons chairman of NCLIS; she succeeds Dr. Joan R. Challinor, whose term as a Commissioner continues until July, 2004.

Patricia M. Hines of South Carolina, previously Chief of Staff of Domestic Policy in the White House under President Reagan and Assistant Secretary of Research and Development in the Department of Education under President George H.W. Bush. (2005; Public)

Colleen Ellen Huebner of Washington, associate professor, University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine. (2007; Public)

Stephen M. Kennedy of New Hampshire, a former computer executive responsible for state government relations and a former official in several New Hampshire administrations. (2007; Public- information technology)

Bridget L. Lamont of Illinois, former director of policy and program development for Illinois Gov. George Ryan and for 16 years the director of the Illinois State Library. (2008; Librarian/information specialist)

Mary H. (Mitzi) Perdue of Maryland, former syndicated columnist on environmental matters and founder of Healthy U of Delmarva, a 6000 member organization which seeks to decrease chronic disease by encouraging healthier lifestyles. (2008; Public)

Herman Lavon Totten, regents professor of library and information sciences, University of North Texas School of Library and Information Sciences, Denton and a former president of the Texas Library Association (2008; Librarian/information specialist).

The new Commissioners join the current NCLIS members: Commissioner Challinor of Washington, DC and Commissioner Jack Hightower of Austin, Texas as well as Librarian of Congress James Billington and IMLS Director Robert Martin.