John Y. Cole Named Library of Congress Historian

Acting Librarian of Congress David S. Mao today announced two leadership appointments.

John Y. Cole is named the Library of Congress Historian, a new position dedicated to serving as the top technical expert and adviser on the history of the Library of Congress, documenting institutional history and conducting historical research. Cole was the founding director of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress, which was created by law in 1977. He has been instrumental in shaping numerous literacy and reading-promotion programs during his 50-year tenure at the Library and is the author of several books about the institution.

Pam Jackson is named the new director of the Center for the Book, a public-private partnership that promotes books, reading and literacy and includes official affiliates in 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. She has been the deputy assistant director for the Government and Finance Division at the Congressional Research Service (CRS) for six years. Before joining the Library of Congress in 2003, she served for 11 years as the CEO of the Coleman A. Young Foundation, a charitable foundation dedicated to the educational development of at-risk youth and college-bound students.

Both appointments take effect June 12, 2016.

"John Cole has had a remarkable career of distinguished service at the Library of Congress and has been one of the institution’s leading historians, writing many articles and publications about its developing roles as a legislative, national and international institution," Mao said. "John’s depth and breadth of knowledge about the Library is a particularly critical resource as the institution prepares to transition to new leadership. ...