Robert S. Martin
Encyclopedia
Robert S. Martin, Ph.D. is an American
librarian
, archivist
, administrator, and educator. He is the former director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services
(IMLS), and is currently a member of the National Council on the Humanities
and of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO
.
Martin was nominated director of IMLS by the President of the United States
and confirmed by the Senate
in July 2001. Prior to his appointment, he was Professor and Interim Director of the School of Library and Information Studies at Texas Woman's University
. From 1995 to 1999, he served as Director and Librarian of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
. In addition, Dr. Martin has held positions at Louisiana State University
, the University of Texas at Arlington
, the University of Texas at Austin
, Texas Woman's University, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison
.
Dr. Martin has authored several publications and served on editorial boards of scholarly library journals such as American Archivist
, The Library Quarterly
, Libraries and Culture and Meridian. He has held elected and appointed roles in professional library and archives organizations, and has been honored for his contributions. Among his many awards is the Justin Winsor Prize
from the American Library Association
.
On November 17, 2008, President Bush awarded Martin the Presidential Citizens Medal
“for his leadership in strengthening libraries and museums across the country.” The medal is one of the highest honors the President can confer upon a civilian, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
, archivist
Archivist
An archivist is a professional who assesses, collects, organizes, preserves, maintains control over, and provides access to information determined to have long-term value. The information maintained by an archivist can be any form of media...
, administrator, and educator. He is the former director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent agency of the United States federal government established in 1996. It is the main source of federal support for libraries and museums within the United States, having the mission to "create strong libraries and museums that connect...
(IMLS), and is currently a member of the National Council on the Humanities
National Endowment for the Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency of the United States established by the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. The NEH is located at...
and of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
.
Martin was nominated director of IMLS by the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and confirmed by the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in July 2001. Prior to his appointment, he was Professor and Interim Director of the School of Library and Information Studies at Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University is a co-educational university in Denton, Texas, United States with two health science center branches in Dallas, Texas and Houston, Texas...
. From 1995 to 1999, he served as Director and Librarian of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission refers to the agency in the state of Texas that is charged with overseeing and assisting with state-wide library programs, meeting the reading-related needs of Texans with disabilities, and finally preserving and providing access to significant Texas...
. In addition, Dr. Martin has held positions at Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
, the University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a public research university located in Arlington, Texas, United States. The campus is situated southwest of downtown Arlington, and is located in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. The university was founded in 1895 and served primarily a military...
, the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, Texas Woman's University, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
.
Dr. Martin has authored several publications and served on editorial boards of scholarly library journals such as American Archivist
American Archivist
The American Archivist is the official publication of the Society of American Archivists . The American Archivist seeks to reflect thinking about theoretical and practical developments in the archival profession, particularly in North America; about the relationships between archivists and the...
, The Library Quarterly
The Library Quarterly
The Library Quarterly is an academic journal published quarterly by the University of Chicago on subjects in library science, including historical, sociological, statistical, bibliographical, managerial, psychological, and educational aspects of the field. It was established to fill a need for...
, Libraries and Culture and Meridian. He has held elected and appointed roles in professional library and archives organizations, and has been honored for his contributions. Among his many awards is the Justin Winsor Prize
Justin Winsor Prize (library)
The Justin Winsor Prize is awarded by the Library History Round Table of the American Library Association for the best library history essay. The award was established in 1978 and named for the American Library Association's first president, Justin Winsor...
from the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
.
On November 17, 2008, President Bush awarded Martin the Presidential Citizens Medal
Presidential Citizens Medal
The Presidential Citizens Medal is the second highest civilian award in the United States, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is awarded by the President of the United States, and may be given posthumously....
“for his leadership in strengthening libraries and museums across the country.” The medal is one of the highest honors the President can confer upon a civilian, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
.